DUBAI // Motorists should check weather reports to avoid getting caught up in a sandstorm, police are warning after a series of accidents on Saturday. One person was killed and several injured in three separate crashes during a sandstorm in Dubai. A six car pile-up on the Al Ain motorway resulted in two injuries, including a pregnant woman who was hospitalised, police said. Two accidents on Sheikh Zayed Road, including one fatal collision, occurred at 4pm and 6pm. "The accidents were caused because of the brief sandstorm and poor weather conditions," an official from Dubai police said.
Col Saif Muhair al Mazrouei, the acting director of the Dubai Traffic Department, said people should follow weather reports and plan trips accordingly. "It is easy to find out about what is happening with the weather. Daily reports are announced in the paper, on TV, the internet and the radio, but unfortunately many people choose to ignore the warnings," Col Mazrouei said. Drivers caught in a sandstorm should pull over, turn on emergency lights and wait for the storm to pass. "It usually takes about half an hour for the cloud to shift but people should sit and wait in their cars even if it takes longer, like an hour," he said.
A vehicle going at 60kph needs to maintain a distance of about 35 metres from the vehicle in front of it. A car travelling at 120kph should maintain a distance of 140 metres. Traffic police say bad weather accounts for five per cent of accidents that occur in Dubai. Police records show that during the first six months of 2008, there were 1,915 traffic accidents in the emirate. The most common incidents were colliding with pedestrians (345 accidents), failing to leave enough distance between cars (270), drink driving (224) and failing to remain in lane (218).
A total of 138 accidents happened on Sheikh Zayed Road during the first six months of 2008, which made for the most accidents occurring in one area. @Email:rabubaker@thenational.ae