UAE weather: Speed limits cut as Abu Dhabi blanketed by fog

Motorists urged to exercise caution during hazardous morning conditions

Speed limits were reduced on Wednesday as fog shrouded Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A safety warning was sent out to motorists in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday morning as dense fog covered the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Police urged drivers to be vigilant during the hazardous conditions, which led to speed limits being reduced to 80kph on a number of routes.

Alerts were sent to mobile phones warning of the temporary speed limit, which was brought into effect as visibility worsened on the early morning commute.

The National Centre of Meteorology said a fog warning would be in place for large parts of the emirate until 9.30am.

In its latest five-day bulletin, the NCM said the foggy morning weather was expected to persist until Saturday.

Temporary speed limits

Abu Dhabi Police began to enforce the 80kph speed limit during bad weather – such as heavy rain, sandstorms and fog – in April 2019. The activation of temporary speed limits is posted on electronic signs on roads and announced on social media.

The scheme was introduced months after Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport's traffic safety committee agreed on a plan to reduce speeds during poor weather. 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 when temporary speed limits have been removed.