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29 March 2024

14 hurt in 57-car fog pile-up on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain road

Published
By Mohammad Al Sadafy

Around 14 people were injured in an accident involving 57 cars on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain road on Thursday morning due to low visibility during thick fog.

All the injured people were moved to the hospital for treatment and road was cleared for the traffic. Police said one of the injured was in critical condition.

Accident involved vehicles from both sides of the road near the Abu Samrah area. Around 39 cars were involved in accidents on their way from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain while 18 were going in the opposite direction.

The accident brought traffic to a complete standstill, and drivers were redirected to alternative routes, from the Al Yahar Bridge, and from the Ramah Bridge to the trucks road

 

Major Salah Abdullah Al Humairi, Chief of the Al Ain Traffic and Patrols Section at the Traffic and Patrols Directorate General of Abu Dhabi Police, said patrol vehicles and ambulances were rushed to the scene immediately upon receiving the communication.

He said initial investigation results showed that the accidents were due to low visibility during thick fog and driver had not maintained sufficient distance between the vehicles and not followed speed guidelines.

He also said that through joint cooperation, as per the emergency plan for fog-related incidents, the directorate evacuated the injured and transferred them to hospitals for treatment. Damaged cars were removed, traffic going in both directions was halted, and alternative routes were provided in order to reduce the occurrence of more traffic accidents.

“The Public Relations Section at the directorate, has warned through live radio broadcasts, about the occurrence of the major car crash on the aforementioned road in both directions, calling on drivers to exercise caution, reduce speed, leave sufficient distance between vehicles and follow the designated alternative roads,” added Major Al Humairi.

Major Salah called on drivers to abide by traffic rules by leaving sufficient distance between the vehicles, reducing speed on the internal and external roads and stopping car on the right shoulder in case of thick fog.

Directorate of Traffic and Patrols at Abu Dhabi Police has intensified traffic awareness campaign to drive safely during rough weather.

He also appealed to companies and owners of heavy-duty trucks not to bring vehicles on roads until the visibility is good.