Sharjah police warn drivers over Ramadan crashes

SHARJAH // Police are urging motorists to slow down to reduce the traffic collisions common on Ramadan afternoons. Most crashes during the holy month happen between 1pm and 3pm, just after the shortened Ramadan working hours end for many businesses, said Lt Col Arif Mohammad al Shamsi, the director of the Sharjah Traffic and Licensing Department.
"The change in the sleeping and working habits impairs the ability of fasting motorists to focus on driving and their concentration level also drops to the minimum," Lt Col al Shamsi said. "Being extra-vigilant and not over-speeding to catch iftar could save a lot of lives." Motorists should have sufficient rest before driving and take a break if they felt exhausted, drowsy or were yawning frequently, Lt Col al Shamsi said.
He also called on drivers to end their fast on the way home if it is time for iftar, instead of speeding home, which could endanger lives. Police were to intensify patrols on all the emirate's roads in a bid to beat the nagging traffic congestion during the evening rush hours, said Lt Mohammed al Amin, a Sharjah police spokesman. The roads with extra police patrols in the evening hours are to include the Al Wahda, Al Dhaid and Al Maleha roads as well as the Al Ramla Road and the Industrial Area 2, 4 and 5 roads.
Police patrols are also present at popular roundabouts that do not have traffic signals, such as the Kuwait, Khazana and Estiqlal traffic circles. Lorries and heavy vehicles are banned from Sharjah's highways from 8am to 9am and from 8pm to 11pm during Ramadan, Lt al Amin said. The ban also applies to highways emanating from the Sharjah Ring Road and Al Dhaid Road. "The changes in new truck timings correspond with the evening rush of traffic at iftar time and the changes in government employees' timings," he said.
"Police patrol units will be on the streets to help implement the new timings and fine violating trucks." Letters explaining the new timings were sent to all government departments and private companies with heavy vehicles in the emirate, he said. He also urged managers to restrain their drivers from violating the new timings. @Email:[e-mail]