Motorists urged to drive safely in foggy conditions

Tuesday saw the most traffic accidents, with emergency crew responding to a total of 122 crashes caused by fog in Dubai, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.

Dubai Marina skyline is shrouded in fog. David Cannon / Getty Images

ABU DHABI // Police have ­repeated calls for motorists to be extra cautious, use low-beam headlights and cut their speed when driving in dense fog after a spate of early morning crashes this week.

On Tuesday, emergency crews responded to 122 crashes during fog in Dubai, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.

Between 4am and 9am, Dubai Police received 1,062 calls and responded to 107 accidents, blamed on foggy conditions, while 26 vehicles were involved in four accidents in Ras Al Khaimah.

Changes in driver behaviour and the use of variable speed limit signs are needed to prevent accidents in foggy conditions, police and experts said.

“We must remind all motorists to maintain a safe following distance, especially when driving in fog,” said Col Jamal Al Ameri, head of the public relations at Abu Dhabi Police’s traffic and patrols directorate.

“Also, they should reduce their speed and not turn on their hazard lights while driving. Hazard lights should only be used when the vehicle is stationary, for emergency purposes.”

In the capital, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport took to Twitter yesterday to report an accident at 8.01am on Khaleej Al Arabi Road before Musaffah Bridge, causing tailbacks.

Yesterday in Dubai, TrafficDxb reported an accident on E611 Emirates Road after Maliha Road intersection towards Abu Dhabi. A second accident happened Sheikh Zayed Road before Dubai Internet City ­Metro station towards the Dubai World Trade Centre and Sharjah. A third occurred on E44 Al Khail Road after Meydan Road exit towards Business Bay Bridge.

Glenn Havinoviski, a United States-based transport expert, said the use of variable speed limit signs could be a solution. “If located on roads with frequent fog, such as E11 and possibly the new E311, the variable speed signs should present reduced limits during fog or heavy traffic conditions,” he said. “It’s up to the driver to be responsible when there is limited visibility and reduce speed so it’s possible to maintain a safe stopping distance behind the vehicle in front.”

During Wednesday's morning rush hour an accident happened on Al Khail Road near Pond Park, while two more were reported near the Mall of the Emirates. A crash was reported after the Outlet Village and Dubai Parks exit, with heavy fog slowing down traffic heading in to Abu Dhabi.

“A complete change in driving culture is needed to prevent accidents while driving in fog,” Dr Salaheddine Bendak, an associate professor in industrial engineering at the University of Sharjah. “Motorists should use indicators when changing lanes or turning as this issue is not stressed enough in driving schools and only a minority of drivers do it,” he said.

Authorities should consider reducing the 20 kph speed buffer to 10 kph as "20 kph gives the wrong psychological message to drivers that there is always a big margin before he or she is caught", Dr Bendak said.

“Compared to developed countries, there is a shortage of road safety messages conveyed to the public on a regular basis,” he said. “Government agencies, the media and the private sector should play a more active role.”