Motorists urged to follow traffic guidelines during fog: Police

Motorists were advised to be extra cautious when driving in conditions of fog or low visibility early morning.

The Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters (GHQ) warned drivers on Twitter of "low visibility due to fog formation on highways". Motorists were urged to take caution and follow the directions because of the dense fog in the early morning in some area.

Driving instructions in Foggy conditions #AbuDhabi #UAE #safety #fog pic.twitter.com/A2oxt5ahHY

- Abu Dhabi DoT (@AbuDhabiDoT) February 7, 2018

#AbuDhabiPolice urges drivers to be cautious
due to low visibility during fog formation
And for your saftey and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone. pic.twitter.com/HHC4kGQN2k

- ???? ?????? (@ADPoliceHQ) February 6, 2018

The Department of Transport (DoT) also tweeted safety tips for motorists while driving in fog: "Allow enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you during bad weather, For your safety and avoid sudden accidents."

Dear driver,
Allow enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you during bad weather, For your safety and avoid sudden accidents. #AbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/MNtheujPIr

- Abu Dhabi DoT (@AbuDhabiDoT) December 28, 2017

On Tuesday, twenty-two people were injured in a pile-up crash that involved 44 vehicles on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Street (Abu Dhabi-Dubai road) on Tuesday. The Abu Dhabi Police said the incident, which occurred at about 8.08am after the Kizad Bridge in Al Samha, was caused by the low-visibility due to the heavy fog that blanked parts of the emirate.

22 injured in 44-vehicle crash in Abu Dhabi
> > https://t.co/Av8YkDz7iX pic.twitter.com/NZQBv0BHDX

- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) February 7, 2018

The police have blamed the multi-car crash on the motorists' failure to leave sufficient distance between the vehicles, speeding and disregard for road conditions despite the foggy weather.

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- ???? ?????? (@ADPoliceHQ) February 6, 2018

In other fog related accidents, three people sustained minor and moderate injuries in two separate accidents in Al Ain after vehicles collided because of low visibility.

The police urged drivers to abide by the traffic rules, especially in foggy conditions to avoid traffic accidents.

#?????_?????? #awareness_messages pic.twitter.com/bAzL8WjPdM

- ???? ?????? (@ADPoliceHQ) February 7, 2018

They also advised drivers not to use hazard lights during fog until they have come to a full stop on the right shoulder of the road.

Under the traffic laws, driving in foggy conditions without using low or foggy lights are punishable by Dh500 fine and four black points.

#???????_????? #?????? pic.twitter.com/QxaeTklxNG

- Abu Dhabi DoT (@AbuDhabiDoT) February 6, 2018

Forecasters at the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), said that visibility could be less than 800 metres in coastal areas.

pic.twitter.com/aoIUeyMqlj

- ?????? ?????? ??????? (@NCMS_media) February 7, 2018

Tips to drive safely in foggy conditions

> Check weather conditions before leaving home

> Follow traffic instructions during foggy conditions

> Make sure that you leave enough distance in the car in front of you

> Avoid speeding

> Avoid overtaking or changing lanes

> Use fog lights and avoid using hazard lights