Abu Dhabi, Jan 4: Three people were injured in an accident involving 19 cars on Abu Dhabi – Al Ain road on Saturday morning due to low visibility during thick fog.
The police said that one camel was killed and two others sustained multiple fractures, when the truck transporting nine camels overturned due to the collision.
According to Colonel Hamad Nasser Al Bloushi, Head of Peripheral Regions Traffic Department at Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate, initial investigation results showed that the accident occurred due to thick fog that blanketed the area and reduced horizontal visibility.
Colonel Al Bloushi said, "Police and Traffic patrols as well as ambulance and rescue teamswere rushed to the scene immediately upon receiving notification about the accident. The paramedics administered first aid to the injured and provided them with medical care on site, before transferring them to hospitals for treatment. The damaged vehicles were removed from the crash site, and the injured animals were provided with necessary treatment in coordination with the relevant entities.”
The accident comes one day after a three-car pile-up accident in Zayed City in the Western Region, Abu Dhabi, which killed two people and injured seven othersdue to low visibility during thick fog. A fuel tank and a bus were gutted by the fire that broke out due to the collision, and the pick-up truck was severely damaged.
Colonel Al Bloushireiterated the importance of exercising caution while driving on internal and external roads, especially during the late hours of the night until the early hours of the morning. He also called upon motorists to leave sufficient safe distance between vehicles, to refrain from overtaking other vehicles,and to avoid other driving errors, such as using the hazard lights while driving in the fog, which may lead to traffic accidents.
He also urged motorists to stop their vehicles off of the road, turn off their warning lights, and take all precautionary measures that will assure their safety while driving in foggy conditions. He also urged drivers to reduce speed gradually, drive cautiouslyat a speed that suits the surrounding conditions,to be able to avoid eventual road surprises in foggy weather.
It is worth mentioning that the Security Media Department, at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, recently initiated a media campaign titled ‘Security Glances’, which includes radio messages designed to enhance awareness among motorists and encourage them to exercise caution while driving in foggy weather, especially during the late hours of the night until the early hours of the morning.
For more information:
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron 971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com