Dubai records 756 accidents in eight hours

Official said most of the accidents happened between 6am and 2pm during the rain as motorists did not adjust their driving to suit the weather conditions.

A car that overturned near Jebel Ali on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway. —  KT photo by Rahul Gajjar

Dubai witnessed 756 traffic accidents in eight hours as rain lashed the emirate on Monday.

Brigadier Omar Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Director of the Command Room of the Dubai Police, said that 293 of the accidents were minor ones involving two vehicles while 36 accidents had three vehicles involved.

Brigadier Al Shamsi said 39 of the accident cases were registered against unknown drivers. Thirteen vehicles were burnt on the road while 28 vehicles crashed into concrete barriers on the roadside. According to the officer, 60 vehicles crashed into medians while three vehicles rammed into trees and four others into poles.

Al Shamsi said most of the accidents happened between 6am and 2pm during the rain as motorists did not adjust their driving to suit the weather conditions.

A heavy truck was overturned, seriously injuring the driver, because of the reckless driving, he said, adding that 15 of the accidents were serious ones. Al Shamsi attributed the huge number of accidents to motorists not reducing the speed despite the rain, fog and wind which had caused low visibility.

Brigadier Al Shamsi said that in such conditions, all drivers should ensure their windshields and lights were clear and that their signals were working before they started driving. He added that they should leave enough distance between vehicles, should reduce speed and change lanes only when necessary. He said that the Dubai Police are patrolling roads to prevent congestions, organise traffic and intervene in case of an emergency.

He urged all drivers to use windscreen wipers, remove condensation from the windshields, and remain cautious of other drivers when on the road in poor weather. amira@khaleejtimes.com