The Traffic Safety Committee in Abu Dhabi announced last week that during bad weather and/or low visibility situations on the road, the speed limit will be reduced to 80 km/h in the capital.
The bad-weather rules will take effect when visibility drops to roughly 200 meters on the road according to officials.
Modified speed limit changes will be shown on smart overhead gantry’s located on Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street (Abu Dhabi – Dubai Road) and Shaikh Khalifa Street (Al Saadiyat). Roads that do not have the smart overhead signs will instead have fixed speed limit signs with a warning light to signal drivers to reduce their speed to 80 km/h.
All road users are urged to follow the reduced speed limit until visibility is clear. Once visibility returns to normal, motorists can return to the regular speed limit. Make note that during these times, radar’s scattered along the roads will be adjusted accordingly.
According to the Abu Dhabi Police, most accidents which occur during foggy weather are due to tailgating and speeding.
Additionally, Abu Dhabi Police issued a statement warning motorists NOT to use hazard lights when driving in the fog. “Unnecessarily using the hazard lights while driving in foggy conditions can distract other motorists and lead to dangerous accidents,” the Abu Dhabi Police explained.
Drivers caught using their hazard lights while driving through the fog will he handed an AED 500 fine and four black points issued to their traffic file.
Abu Dhabi Police urges motorists to only use hazard lights when stopping at the roadside or when there is an accident.
Photo credit: Baws.ae
