UAE fog: Police hold safety workshops on driving in bad weather

The Abu Dhabi Police have conducted a workshop to educate and promote awareness about safe driving during foggy conditions for companies transporting workers.

Police said they took several preventive measures because of the fog formation. These measures included intensifying road surveillance and banning the movement of trucks, heavy vehicles and buses on the emirate's roads, as part of the police’s traffic safety plan.

In a statement issued on Thursday, police said its Traffic and Patrols Directorate of the Central Operations Sector organised the introductory and educational workshop to create awareness about the safety of transportation of workers during foggy and inclement weather conditions.

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The workshop, which was attended by police’s main partners such as officials from transportation companies for buses and trucks and other private sector institutions, highlighted the need to adhere to traffic rules and to ensure the safety of workers, especially during foggy conditions.

Brigadier Salim bin Barak Al Dhaheri, the deputy director of the Traffic and Patrols Directorate, Abu Dhabi Police, stressed the importance of creating awareness for safe driving and reducing human errors during foggy conditions, which may lead to deaths and severe injuries due to traffic accidents.

He cited measures such as posting warning and alert messages via social media accounts, reminding drivers to comply with the instructions shown on smart towers and automatic reducing of speed limits on the emirate’s roads and highways during inclement or foggy conditions.

“The force also banned buses transporting workers from travelling during foggy conditions on all roads in the emirate. This is part of the strategic priority to make roads safer and more secure during inclement weather conditions,” said Al Dhaheri.

He urged drivers of lorries, heavy vehicles and buses not to embark on any journey during foggy conditions and to immediately stop and park at the nearest safe place in the event of fog formation while on the road.

The officer also stressed the need for workers’ transport companies to adhere to the preventive measures. He warned that those violating the rules face a fine of Dh1,000 and four black points.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

Ismail Sebugwaawo

A professional journalist originating from Kampala, Uganda, Ismail is a happy father with strong attachment to family and great values for humanity. He has practiced journalism in UAE for the past 13 years, covering the country's parliament (FNC) and crimes, including Abu Dhabi Police, public prosecution and courts. He also reports about important issues in education, public health and the environment, with a keen interest in human interest stories. When out of reporting duties, he serves the Ugandan community in Abu Dhabi as he wants to see his countrymen happy. Exercising and reading are part of his free time.