Nine injured in 28 car pile-up in Dubai

Nine people are injured in a traffic accident involving 28 vehicles on Thursday. Courtesy Dubai Police

Nine people were injured in an accident involving 28 vehicles in Dubai on Thursday.

The accident happened at 7.30am on Emirates Road as heavy fog reduced visibility to less than 50m in areas across the country.

Brig Gen Saif Al Mazrouei, director General of Traffic Department at Dubai Police, said the fog was a major factor in causing the accident and caused heavy congestion along the road.

Police temporarily closed the road to the roundabout to avoid more cars becoming involved in the accident. The road remained closed while the injured were taken to hospital and cars were cleared away.

Brid Al Mazrouei stressed the importance of driving slowly when visibility is impaired by fog. He called on all motorists to turn on their fog lights and avoid using hazard lights unless in case of emergency.

He said irresponsible driving in such conditions could cost a motorist their life.

The accident comes just two days after 44 vehicles collided in heavy fog outside Abu Dhabi city.

Some 22 people were injured in the crash.

On Wednesday, police asked motorists to think seriously before travelling in extreme weather conditions. Forecasters from the National Centre of Meteorology expect the fog  to continue until Friday.

“Motorists should not drive in severe foggy conditions and wait until visibility improves,” said Brig Omar Al Shamsi, deputy director of the general department of operations at Dubai Police.

“Stopping in a petrol station or anywhere that is considered safe is recommended. Heavy vehicle drivers should stop in their rest stops,” he said.

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Video captures dramatic moment 44 vehicles collide in fog on Dubai-Abu Dhabi road

It's careless driving, not fog, that causes accidents