A safety warning has been issued to motorists in the UAE as parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai were blanketed by dense fog on Tuesday morning.
The speed limits on several roads in Abu Dhabi have been reinstated after being reduced to 80kph temporarily due to worsening visibility.
In a series of social media alerts, the Abu Dhabi Police urged drivers to follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards.
The National Centre of Meteorology issued its most severe red and yellow alert for fog across many parts of the country, cautioning that visibility had dropped below 1,000m.
The fog is expected to clear by 9.30am.
A red alert warns people to be extremely vigilant because “hazardous weather events of exceptional severity are forecast”, while an yellow alert means people should take care during outdoor activities.
Fines for breaking 80kph speed limit during fog?
Motorists who break the 80kph speed limit face fines.
Abu Dhabi Police stress that during bad weather motorists should follow the speed limit posted on electronic road signs.
This supersedes any fixed speed limit signs.
Drivers should abide by the revised speed limit until electronic signboards indicate it has been lifted.
Police also typically post on social media to confirm that temporary speed limits have been removed.
Financial penalties depend on how much a driver goes over the temporary limit.
Police impose fines of Dh300 ($81.6) for drivers who exceed speed limits by up to 10kph.
This fine is doubled for those breaking the speed limit by no more than 20kph.
Financial penalties steadily increase in line with the severity of the breach of traffic regulations.
Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 80kph will be hit with a Dh3,000 fine and have their vehicle seized for 60 days.
