Abu Dhabi: The new executive regulations of the Federal Traffic Law stressed the need for drivers to adhere to safe driving rules to enhance road safety, emphasising the prohibition of driving a vehicle in cases of fatigue or exhaustion, which may negatively affect the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and make sound decisions while driving.
The regulations stipulate general obligations for vehicle drivers while driving, the most important of which are: not driving the vehicle while fatigued or exhausted in a way that affects the ability to drive safely, and the obligation not to exceed nine hours of driving within a 24-hour period. The Federal Traffic Council may amend these regulations.
Statistics from the Ministry of Interior regarding the causes of traffic accidents that occurred on the country's roads during the past years revealed that several accidents occurred due to drivers being fatigued, drowsy, exhausted, and falling asleep while driving.
The country’s roads have also witnessed a number of fatal accidents, which have led to deaths and serious injuries, due to drivers falling asleep or dozing off while driving, especially during long hours of overland travel without rest.
Traffic experts confirmed that a one-second nap could cost the driver his life and endanger the lives of others while driving on the road, stressing the importance of getting enough sleep before embarking on a journey, especially if it is long or on a highway.
They pointed out the importance of paying attention to a number of indicators of fatigue and exhaustion while driving, such as frequent yawning and mental distraction. In this case, the driver should stop on the side of the road, try to refresh himself or take a rest, and then resume the journey.
If a person feels unwell or has a health problem, he should stop the vehicle on the right shoulder of the road and contact the central operations room to request support and assistance in any case, especially those who suffer from interruption of taking medications for chronic diseases.
The executive regulations of the Traffic Law stipulated other obligations for vehicle drivers while driving, including not driving the vehicle under the influence of narcotics, psychotropic substances, intoxicants, or the like, not being distracted from the road by any means or doing any act that would distract attention or affect safe driving, including using a mobile phone or any electronic device in violation of applicable legislation, and ensuring, before starting to drive, and on a periodic basis, that the vehicle is safe, fit for use, and free from any danger to the driver or others.
It also stressed the obligation to fasten seat belts by the driver and all passengers in the front and back seats, and to remove the vehicle from the road as quickly as possible in the event of any incident that affects its safety, the safety of others, or the flow of traffic.
Road speeds
The regulations stipulate obligations for vehicle drivers regarding road use, right-of-way, and speeds, including not driving in residential areas and around educational institutions and hospitals in a manner that causes annoyance or endangers the lives of others. The speed limit in residential areas must not exceed 40km per hour, and this is announced by clear signs and guidance panels.
It also stipulated not endangering pedestrians walking on sidewalks or when crossing the road, slowing down when changing direction to enter another road, leaving space for pedestrians who have begun to cross the road, slowing down to allow a vehicle in front to turn right or left, or when passing through populated areas, or if visibility is unclear, or when entering turns, curves, slopes or intersections, or at pedestrian crossings or in front of schools or hospitals.
Reversing unnecessarily
The regulations also require drivers not to reverse except when necessary, provided that they do not obstruct traffic, after giving the appropriate signal and ensuring that the road is clear and that they do not endanger others, and that the reverse distance does not exceed what is necessary, and if necessary they must seek the help of someone to guide them.
When using expressways, the vehicle must not be stopped outside designated areas, reversed, turned left or back outside designated areas, or driven in the median strip separating the two directions of traffic on the two rivers of the road.
The speed must be reduced or stopped if necessary, to allow school buses or public transport vehicles to make the necessary movements for students or passengers to board or disembark. These vehicles must not be obstructed or disturbed, and it is not permissible to pass between these vehicles and the sidewalk.
The vehicle must not participate in private processions or gatherings except with special permission from the licensing authority or the traffic control authority, provided that this is for a specific period and does not disturb public peace, especially at night.
Children's seats
The regulation stipulated obligations for the vehicle driver aimed at protecting child passengers, as it obligated the vehicle driver to provide child seats for children aged four years and under in the rear seats of the vehicle that are appropriate for their weights and heights according to the standard specifications in force in the country.
Two cases were excluded: the first is a child who has a health condition that prevents him from using protective seats, provided that this is proven by a certificate certified by the competent medical authority in the country, with the presence of an escort for the child in the back; and the second is vehicles that do not have back seats, provided that a child seat is placed in the front facing the rear with the airbag disabled.
The regulations allow the vehicle driver to permit a child who is over 10 years old or whose height reaches 145 cm to sit in the front seats of the vehicle while it is moving on the road.
Personal responsibility
Meanwhile, traffic expert, retired Brigadier Ahmed Al-Sam Al-Naqbi, confirmed that verifying compliance with the legally specified number of driving hours often appears retroactively after accidents, especially serious or fatal ones, as detailed investigations reveal the route of the journey and the amount of time the driver spent behind the wheel.
Al-Naqbi considered this commitment to be primarily a “personal responsibility” imposed by traffic awareness, likening it to violations of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which are often difficult to detect beforehand except after the accident has occurred and the person responsible has been investigated.
Al-Naqbi pointed out that traffic statistics recorded many tragic accidents on the country’s roads as a result of driving under the influence of extreme fatigue and exhaustion, which leads to sudden lapses in consciousness that claim the lives of road users.
As part of the state and relevant authorities’ commitment to supporting traffic safety, fully equipped and serviced rest areas have been provided along external roads and highways to enable drivers to stop and take a break, and renew their energy before resuming driving, in order to avoid falling into the trap of physical and mental exhaustion that regulatory authorities cannot detect beforehand, except with the driver’s own awareness or after the tragedy has occurred.