Small business owners said yesterday that a new plan to improve road safety by limiting lorry driver hours and truckloads will offer new commercial opportunities.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Transport yesterday unveiled “Freight 2030,” a master plan for regulating the airports, roads and railways that underpin the emirate’s ambitious industrial development projects, from the dangerous mining of sour gas to the expansion of petrochemicals factories.
The Department of Transport said that new rules will be slowly introduced to soften the impact on industry and it is to consult stakeholders as it decides how to encourage safer behaviour on the emirate’s transport arteries while being “sensitive to the leadership’s vision of economic development”, said Osama Tomeh, a freight planning consultant. “Of course that has an economic impact because one day you’re carrying 100 tonnes, and the next you can’t carry 100 tonnes,” Mr Tomeh said. “We want to be sensitive to the cost aspect.”
No immediate timeline or fines have been set, but a department spokesman has said that enforcement will begin by 2030.
A path the new freight plan hopes to avoid is the one taken by a waste law introduced in 1986. Thrown into full force in the midst of a construction boom, it was quickly suspended for fear of jeopardising Abu Dhabi’s economic development.
“We want to make sure that the industry can acclimatise to the regulations that we develop,” said Mr Tomeh at a launch event yesterday. “We’re not going to be developing regulations in a vacuum.”
Representatives from the Abu Dhabi Police, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and small business owners attended the launch, which included a demonstration lorry inspection.
Bassam Al Kassar, the managing director of a company that sells truck tracking systems to Adnoc Distribution and other oil and gas companies in the region that must hold to strict safety standards, said he was hopeful the new regulations could help sales to other sectors.
“I’m happy to see more attention from the Government,” said Mr Al Kassar of Black Box Integrated Systems. “I see opportunities for technology providers and consultants and resellers – putting a plan together for the UAE is something good for everybody.”
ayee@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
THE%20FLASH
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Mountain%20Boy
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The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
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Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
