Motorists urged to be cautious during fog

Abu Dhabi - Rise in humidity can cause heavy fog, low visibility, warn Abu Dhabi Police.

Since the rise in humidity can cause heavy fog, particularly in the early hours of the morning, the Abu Dhabi Police have urged motorists to keep an eye out on the roads.
Colonel Jamal Salem Al Ameri, Chief of the Public Relations Section at the Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police, said motorists must be cautious during low visibility, which can be caused by dust winds and sandstorms.
Drivers should regularly check the weather forecast and must reduce speed to avoid accidents, which often increase during hazardous weather in the UAE.
Moreover, motorists in desert areas or those who leave their cars for a long period of time, need to take precautions, as dust will be heavily gathered on their vehicles.
Colonel Al Ameri also pointed out that drivers need to keep a safe distance between vehicles, use warning signals before switching lanes, and should not overtake or change lanes abruptly.
He also urged drivers not to use the hazard signals during fog, except in the case of a complete stop on the right shoulder off the road, or in case of emergency.
Residents who commute from the Capital to Dubai on a daily basis should be extra cautious in times of weather change.
Firas Salman, who recently moved to the UAE from the UK, told Khaleej Times that he travels back and forth between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and he noticed fog is particularly heavy in the early hours of the morning.
"I usually pull over on the side of the road when the visibility is awfully low and too dangerous to drive in - and I wait until the fog clears up."
"If the roads are too foggy and dangerous, then I will just stay at a relative's place in Dubai and go to work from there. I will simply not risk it and drive in dicey conditions." jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi