Monday 18 October 2010:
Glare of the sun causes 22 minor traffic accidents over 8 months in Abu Dhabi
A statistical report issued by Saaed for Traffic Systems has revealed that 22 minor traffic accidents took place during the first eight months of this year, due to the glare of the sun when it fell on drivers eyes. Al of them affirmed that they could not see the road because of sun glare problem.
The accidents varied between hitting a roundabout, pavement, static objects inside and outside the road, and colliding head on with another vehicle, on one of its sides or on the rear.
Colonel (Engineer) Hussain Ahmed Al Harthi, Director of ADP Directorate of Traffic and patrols and Chairman of Saaed Company Board of Directors has advised that motorists should pay great attention to the road in all weather conditions and stop on the side of the road if they can not move on to avoid accidents.
He has urged drivers to drive within speed limits when they face the sun. They should pull dpwn the sun visor in away that allow them to see their surroundings and what is going on the road ahead, especially when approaching traffic lights as they can not be seen properly when the sun falls behind them, during sunrise and sunset.
Postponed trips
He advises drivers to postpone their trips until the sun rays do not fall direct in their eyes. Traffic accidents take place because drivers do not abide by traffic rules and regulations, do not maintain their vehicle regularly and sometime because of environmental conditions including the fall of the sun glare in the eyes.
He also urges drivers to wear sun-glasses of good quality to protect their eyes from ultraviolet rays. There are some lenses which can protect against these harmful rays, even during cloudy seasons.
Special lights
Salim Mohammad Al Saadi, Director of Abu Dhabi Operations at Saaed Company said "Although the traffic lights lamps are designed in a way to lessen the effect of sun glare on the light coming from them, but we should be careful and make sure of the signal light before we start off".
"Drivers are advised to wear sunglasses of good quality when driving face to face with the sun. We should also use the edge of the windscreen in order to reduce the glare of the sun. One must not strain his eyes by taking enough rest before start driving his vehicle, especially for long distances", added Al Saadi.
"Most drivers spend long time in driving their vehicles in weather conditions dominated by high temperatures in the GCC States and faced with direct sunlight. Therefore, people must pay great care to their eyes. He wishes everybody safe driving", Added Al Saadi.
Insurance Coverage
Fatima Mohammad Isshaq Al Awadhi, Deputy Manager of Insurance Authority, said "When sun glare obstructs the vision of drivers while driving is not one of environmental factors exempted from insurance coverage, in accordance with the conditions of the Unified Insurance Policy of Vehicles, These factors include: Floods, storms, hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes or quakes".
"If a driver jumps the red light, which a traffic violation, claiming that the sun glare has obstructed his vision, will not be covered by insurance, because his act here is intentional, as stipulated by Articles (28) and (29) of the Federal Law number (3) of 1987", added Al Awadhi.
"In sun glare-related accidents, Insu