Ajman bans epileptic drivers after McDonald's accident

Ajman - Installing protective fences around restaurants and outlets will also be made mandatory soon, as part of the precautionary measures being taken by police in the wake of the accident caused by the driver crashing his vehicle through glass walls.

Following the horrific McDonald's accident in Ajman that killed two people on Sunday, Ajman police have banned epileptics and those suffering from any disease that could cause sudden unconsciousness, from driving effective today.
Installing protective fences around restaurants and outlets will also be made mandatory soon, as part of the precautionary measures being taken by police in the wake of the accident caused by the driver crashing his vehicle through glass walls.
The Ajman Police Chief, Brigadier Sultan Al Nuaimi, said that the police, in coordination with Ajman Municipality, will make it a rule for all restaurants, cafes, cafeterias and petrol station marts with glass fronts to install iron barriers around them to prevent vehicles breaching the premises. Any new business will also not be issued a licence without it, he added.
The municipality has also informed such businesses to implement the new regulation within a grace period given to them.
Tougher driver fitness rules to come
The accident on Sunday that killed an Indian woman and an Iraqi child, and injured five others, sent shockwaves through the local community. The 22-year-old Emirati who crashed his vehicle into the restaurant suffers from epilepsy, which caused him to fall unconscious at the wheel.
The police are not just banning epileptic patients and others with medical conditions that could cause them to lose consciousness. The department is also coordinating with Ajman Medical Zone to issue driver fitness certificates, after medically approving them fit to drive.
New drivers will also be made aware of the dangers of driving with such medical conditions.
Police have also warned the public to refrain from taking photos at accident sites, or of dead people, and posting it online and on social media, saying that it is not only an invasion of privacy, but an act of disrespect to the dead/injured persons and a violation of human rights. Those who do so would face tough penalties, the police warned.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 

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