ABU DHABI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has emphasised the importance of school transport safety after a crash involving two school buses left 47 injured, many of them children.
“The safety of our students, Emirati and expats, is a matter of utmost importance, especially when it comes to their transport in school buses,” said Sheikh Mohammed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
“The relevant authorities are required to put in place an efficient mechanism to ensure the safety and security of schoolchildren and motorists, and prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.”
Sheikh Mohammed checked on the condition of pupils, wishing them a speedy recovery and return to school.
Fourteen of the injured were treated for minor injuries at the scene of the crash, which took place on Thursday morning on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street after the Mussaffah Bridge and involved two school buses and a public transport bus.
The others injured were taken to Mafraq Hospital and 25 were released by evening, said Brig Ali Al Dhaheri, director general of Abu Dhabi Police central operations.
Two children were admitted in critical condition but were stable by the afternoon.
The school buses were operated by Al Dhafra Private School and Belvedere British School in Mohammed bin Zayed City.
School officials could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
Abu Dhabi Education Council said it was working with police during the investigation and that a senior management team was at Mafraq Hospital to comfort parents and ensure the students’ care.
Speaking outside the hospital, Abbas Shibeka, from Sudan, said his sons Ali, 4, and Mohammed, 11, who attend Belvedere, were injured. Ali suffered minor injuries and was discharged, but Mohammed’s leg was fractured in the crash and he was still being treated.
“Firstly, we are now taking care of our children’s treatment and we didn’t ask the kids about what happened and how it happened,” said Mr Shibeka.
They got on the bus at 6.10am, and about an hour later he received a call from the bus supervisor informing him about the crash. He praised school management for supporting the children and parents, but said he had previously been concerned about school bus safety.
“Bus drivers need to maintain a proper distance and drive slowly,” he said.
After an initial investigation, police said driver inattention, speeding and tailgating were to blame for the crash.
Brig Al Dhaheri urged school bus drivers to abide by traffic laws and to be cautious during peak traffic hours, particularly in mornings when there is fog and low visibility.
In February last year, tough regulations came into force for Abu Dhabi’s school buses that included mandatory seat belts, medical tests for drivers and training courses on pupil safety.
The School Transport Executive Committee required bus drivers and attendants to be trained in defensive driving, traffic safety, daily bus inspection, and safe boarding and disembarking.
Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, said speeding, not keeping a safe distance between vehicles and improperly changing lanes were common driving infractions seen in the UAE.
“School bus drivers and their employers have to realise they are responsible for their passengers’ safety and that other road users,” he said. “Their employers are responsible in providing a proper training curriculum, coupled with regular updates and refresher courses.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
anwar@thenational.ae
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Read more from Johann Chacko
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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