Motorcyclist dies after crash with taxi in iftar rush

Police ask motorists to slow down during Ramadan rush hour.

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SHARJAH // A man was killed when his motorbike was hit by a speeding taxi during iftar hour on Monday, police say.

The man, who has not been identified, was trying to cross a King Faisal Street intersection, police said yesterday.

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Col Abdul Rahman Khattar, the director of the media and traffic awareness section at Sharjah Police, said the taxi driver was speeding and could not stop in time, and the motorcyclist had the right of way.

"For the cyclist, he was visible as he put on a [fluorescent] jacket but the problem was speeding," Col Khattar said.

Police have arrested the driver and investigations are continuing.

A witness said the car hit the motorcyclist, tossing him over the roof and on to the asphalt a few metres behind.

"The whole car was covered in blood," said Ali Kabwago, a nearby resident.

It was the second fatal accident in Sharjah in three days.

On Saturday, a man burnt to death inside his parked car after it was hit from behind by a speeding vehicle on Al Dhaid Road and burst into flames.

The accident happened about 5am near the Eighth Interchange.

Col Khattar urged motorists to be especially vigilant and not to speed during the Ramadan afternoon rush hour.

Officials said most accidents during the holy month happened between 1pm and 3pm, just after the shortened Ramadan working hours end for many businesses, and from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, the iftar hour.