DUBAI // A sleepy minibus driver at Dubai Airport dozed off and ran over a colleague, a court was told.
"It was nearly 1pm, the sun was blinding my eyes and I was tired and sleepy," the Indian driver SE, 23, told the Misdemeanours Court last week.
"I just closed my eyes and suddenly felt I hit the man."
The bus slammed into his compatriot, FF, 31, a machinery operator at the airport, who was waiting for the driver to take him to another work location.
"He was coming faster than he should. I tried to avoid him but it was too late," said the victim, who suffered multiple fractures.
The driver - who is also the man's supervisor - called the emergency services and the operator was taken to Welcare Hospital, where a screw had to be fixed into his right femur.
The victim told prosecutors his supervisor often drove his bus too close to him as a joke.
"That's true but I control my bus and I do it out of fun," said the driver. He claimed tiredness caused the crash, on August 19, 2011, telling prosecutors he worked from 5am to 5pm four days a week.
Asked why he kept working while so tired, he replied: "I couldn't take the day off or leave work whenever I wanted."
The Misdemeanours Court found him guilty of mistakenly causing an injury and fined him Dh5,000.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
