Brake failure on the truck that smashed into the back of a bus carrying workers and poor driving were today cited by police as the main causes for the UAE's worst traffic accident.
Twenty-four bus passengers died and 24 people were injured yesterday after a lorry collided with the bus on the E30, the Old Truck Road, next to Al Rawda Palace on the outskirts of Al Ain.
Brig Hussein Al Harethi, head of Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate, said: "The main reasons for yesterday's accident were the truck driver not keeping enough space between him and the bus and the truck having faulty brakes.
"Abu Dhabi police has measures ensuring these vehicles are in good working condition but regular maintenance is the responsibility of the companies.
"We ask all transport companies and any others which operate to make sure their vehicles are well maintained and in perfect conditions for the road. Essential parts, such as brakes, need to be checked routinely."
The lorry overturned on top of the bus and the victims at the scene died from suffocation after being buried under the lorry's 75-tonne load of sand and building material.
Brig Gen Al Harthi said those behind of the wheel of heavy vehicles should be well rested and not worked too hard.
He said: "We also ask drivers are properly rested making sure they drive no longer than eight hours in one day to avoid fatigue.It is much more difficult for a tired driver to avoid accidents and have better response times in the roads."
He said that Abu Dhabi police has held numerous lectures instructing commercial drivers about road safety as well as competitions for best drivers between different camps and companies.
TSubaihi@thenational.ae
