More than 130 vehicles involved in road smashes as thick fog hits UAE

Thick fog left motorists driving blind in the UAE on Monday, with more than 130 vehicles involved in road smashes, including two massive pile ups. daily paper Gulf News reported on Tuesday. Now traffic cops are warning motorists to take extra care, as similar conditions are expected to continue over the next few days.

As thick fog hit Dubai on Monday, there were at least 70 crashes in the emirate. There were also 63 vehicles involved in the two pile ups in the Al Rahamaniya area of the emirate of Sharjah, after motorists were apparently caught by surprise, the report added.

The first of the two incidents, involving 30 vehicles, happened as people made their way to Dubai from Sharjah along a major highway called Bypass Road, shortly after 7am. The second happened in the same area a short time later, involving 33 vehicles.

PEOPLE HURT

Amazingly, just five people were injured in the second of the two pile ups, although there were no other injuries reported elsewhere, the report added.

Brigadier Abdullah Mubarak Al Dukhan, deputy commander of Sharjah Police, told the newspaper that motorists were failing to take adequate precautions in the perilous driving conditions. He said people needed to remember to keep a safe distance from the vehicles ahead of them.

Forecasters have warned that conditions are likely to remain foggy in the mornings for at least the next few days, with temperatures ranging from 20C to no more than 28C.

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