Speed limits reduced as thick fog blankets much of UAE

Poor visibility is expected to continue tomorrow and on New Year's Day

Heavy fog blanketed the UAE capital in December. Photo of Etihad Towers taken from Al Ain Tower in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Erica ElKhershi / The National

A fog warning sign on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi road. Rory Reynolds/ The National

A man out for a jog on a foggy morning at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The

The Al Bandar- E10 overpass on a foggy morning at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The junction at Etihad Plaza on a foggy morning at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A municipality worker cleaning up the streets. Victor Besa / The National

A commuter waits for a bus. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters on a foggy morning at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Al Bandar- E10 overpass on a foggy morning at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters on a foggy morning at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Al Bandar- E10 overpass on a foggy morning at Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Much of the UAE woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Monday, prompting authorities in Abu Dhabi to reduce road speed limits.

Residents in the emirate received an emergency alert by text message warning them of an 80 kilometre per hour restriction.

Early morning fog is expected to persist across the UAE into New Year’s Day, bringing with it poor visibility on many of the country’s roads.

Fog is particularly prevalent during the winter months in the Emirates, with dangerous driving conditions often resulting in major accidents.

“Fog forms in high humidity of more than 95 per cent and calm wind,” said a spokesman at the National Centre of Meteorology (NMC).

“Stable weather in general in the atmosphere can result in fog. So if you have stable weather and high humidity, or an increase in relative humidity, and [reducing temperatures], it can lead to fog.”

Experts at the NMC warned of further fog affecting many inland areas and some coastal regions between 11pm on Monday and 10.30am on Tuesday.

Humidity will rise again on Thursday and Friday night, but is not expected to result in reduced visibility after New Year’s Day.

Last February, a lorry ploughed into a line of traffic in thick fog between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, causing a 44 vehicle pileup on the E311.

Abu Dhabi Police periodically warn drivers against speeding in poor visibility, encouraging motorists to pull over if roads become too dangerous.

According to campaign group Road Safety UAE, drivers should increase the distance between their own car and the vehicle in front during thick fog.

A rough guideline is to ensure a minimum of five seconds between cars to allow motorists more time to brake if needed.

In addition to using front and rear fog lights, drivers should also use low beam headlights to increase their visibility.

If fog becomes too heavy, motorists should pull over to a rest area, petrol station or even the side of the road and switch on their hazard lights.