Abu Dhabi Police, represented by the Traffic and Patrol Directorate, in coordination with the Security Media Department at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, continued implementing its awareness initiatives in line with the “Your Safety” campaign, to promote the safety of drivers when facing low visibility due to fog and weather changes.
The Radio Branch of the Security Media Department prepared a number of awareness programs targeting motorists. The programs are broadcasted through the Quran Kareem, Emirates FM, as well as the Sharjah Radio, and Um Al Quwain radio stations particularly in foggy conditions. The Al Ain Traffic Department also distributed awareness brochures on motorists in this regard.
Major Mohsen Saeed Al Mansouri, Chief of Al Ain Traffic and Patrol Directorate, warned all road users from the changes in weather conditions witnessed by the country especially during thick fog. He called on drivers to adhere to traffic laws, and to drive carefully during foggy conditions, in order to avoid accidents.
He explained that the accidents occur during foggy conditions, due to lack of attention, and not leaving a safe distance between vehicles, noting the importance of leaving an even wider distance in such weather conditions, and to park the vehicle in the event of condensing fog away from traffic lanes, to avoid traffic accidents.
He also urged motorists to reduce speed, adhere to speed limits on internal and external roads, and pay more attention at turns and crossroads due to the low visibility which may impede seeing approaching vehicles from the other direction. He called on drivers to be careful and drive cautiously due to friction between the tires and the road surface in such conditions, which might cause the vehicle to slip, and require more distance to stop it.
He stressed the importance of checking the weather conditions and weather forecasts before travelling or moving from one city to another to avoid fog, and also noted the importance of choosing the right time to travel.
For his part, Captain Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Acting Director of Public Relations Branch at the Directorate said that in cooperation with the traffic control branch, awareness brochures were distributed in different areas in Al Ain. The brochures included information on fog, its risks, and procedures to be taken by motorists in such conditions in order to ensure the safety of motorists and other road users.
First Lt. Hamdan Al Dire, Head of Media Affairs Division and Head of Radio Branch at the Security Media Department, said that directives are being broadcasted automatically when the weather is foggy, allowing direct communication with road users, to make sure that these directives are delivered to them while driving.
He noted that these radio awareness messages focus on educating motorists on the proper ways of driving in thick fog, by using hazards lights, fog lights, reduce speed, avoid overtaking, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and stopping the vehicle completely off the road if needed. Moreover, he mentioned a recorded radio ad that is being aired through different radio stations on the issue, particularly in the morning and the evening, when fog mostly forms.
He called on motorists to avoid using hazards lights except in emergency case, turn on low beam head lights, be cautious, pay attention to the road, use landmarks for guidance, ensure that wipers are functioning properly and not to increase speed unless conditions return to normal. He also urged parents to postpone their trips if the weather conditions are bad.