The Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police launched the Summer Traffic Awareness Campaign for 2013, aimed at preventing all reasons that lead to traffic accidents during this time of the year. The various educational programs launched for this end, focus on 3 major topics: motorists, pedestrians and vehicles’ safety. Moreover, and as part of the initiative, the Directorate will increase control, organize traffic education points on internal and external roads, and distribute brochures and traffic awareness-raising leaflets to guarantee the implementation of traffic laws and safety standards.
Brigadier Eng. Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate in Abu Dhabi Police, indicated that the key objectives of the initiative is to increase the level of traffic culture among motorists with respect to the causes of traffic accidents that occur during this time of the year, which witnesses an increased rate of land trips. “This initiative includes providing traffic information and advice through the various media and the Abu Dhabi Traffic Program to Prevent Traffic Accidents, to acquaint motorists with the main parts of the vehicle and means of maintaining it; the safe use of tires and tire types; the danger of over speeding and exceeding the designated load, in addition to the risk of driving for long hours without rest”, he added.
Al Harthi pointed out that patrols were intensified on external roads leading to land ports in order to monitor traffic, and provide useful tips about traffic and vehicles and tires maintenance. Furthermore, he stressed the need to observe the Traffic Law and legal speed limits (140 kilometers per hour) for light vehicles or (80 kilometers per hour) set for trucks and heavy vehicles.
Al Harthi also called on motorists to comply with cargo height restrictions which should not exceed 60cm, noting that exceeding the imposed load capacity is a traffic offence that entails one-week impounding of the vehicle, plus a Dh200 fine and three black points.
Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate appealed to motorists to stop their vehicles in a safe spot, on the right shoulder of the road, if they feel tired or drowsy and lack of focus, so as to avoid traffic accidents that occur due to exhaustion. “The human body has limited stamina and energy, and overworking it may weaken the person’s ability to concentrate, thus increasing the chances of traffic accidents,” he said.
Concluding, Al Harthi said: “Exhaustion is a key factor that affects safe driving. People who drive all day are bound to be physically and mentally exhausted at night. This often leads to lack of concentration and slow reactions, ultimately causing traffic accidents.”