Abu Dhabi Police to step up patrols during Ramadan

Labourers stop to pray on Sheikh Zayed Road. Irregular meals and evenings of prayers affect alertness. Jeff Topping / The National

ABU DHABI // Drivers have been asked to be cautious on the roads during Ramadan, especially before iftar, as people rush to get to where they are breaking their fast.

Police in the capital will increase patrols and road safety experts are advising drivers to not take risks.

Col Jamal Al Ameri, head of public relations at Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said patrols on roads around markets, malls and mosques will be stepped up.

“Motorists should observe traffic rules, maintain a safe distance from the car in front, use seat belts and avoid jumping red lights,” he said.

In Sharjah, police have gone as far as to instruct parents to keep children indoors before iftar in an attempt to cut down on run-over accidents caused by speeding motorists.

Motorists need to be aware of their own fatigue and that of other drivers, said Robert Hodges, chief operating officer at Emirates Driving Institute in Dubai.

“Fewer hours of sleep, irregular meal times and evenings full of prayers, social gatherings and events will affect our ability to be alert,” he said.

“The peak time of summer can lead easily to dehydration and fatigue.”

The number of people killed on Abu Dhabi’s roads during Ramadan last year dropped from 25 to 17 compared with the same period in 2014.

And the number of accidents fell by 32 per cent, from 165 to 130, according to Col Hamad Al Ameri, head of the capital’s traffic department at the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate.

Ramadan rush hours are expected to be from 8am to 9am and then from 1pm to 3pm as people leave work, with another peak from 8pm to midnight as people go home after iftar.

“If at all possible, avoid the roads from around one hour before sunset,” Mr Hodges said.

Iftar packages will be distributed to motorists at intersections to discourage them from speeding as they rush home to break their fast, Col Al Ameri said. In total, 1,700 food packs will be distributed in Abu Dhabi city, 1,000 in Al Ain and 750 in Al Gharbia and Madinat Zayed.

“Give yourself plenty of extra time to arrive at your destination,” Mr Hodges said.

Simon Labbett, project director at Sheida, the road safety standards body in Oman, said: “What is a joyous religious celebration needs the safeguards of care to all.”

Where commercial vehicles are concerned, Bassam Al Kassar, chief executive of Fleet Management Systems and Technologies, said that managers need to ensure all their drivers are fit to drive this Ramadan.

“However, there is no magic button that improves their safety in such circumstances,” he said.

“They could postpone their work assignments and trips until after sundown or after they break their fast but this isn’t always a practical business solution. It is best to plan journeys ahead of time.”