Dubai: Officials at Dubai Traffic Police urge the public to not wait until their fuel runs low to refuel, as they have recently noticed a spike in vehicles running out of petrol across Dubai.
Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said that in recent months the operations room had received many calls from drivers that ran out of petrol.
“This is a very serious issue as running out of petrol and stopping in the middle of the road can lead to serious accidents that can lead to injuries or even death. Other motorists might not notice the car and crash into it,” he said, “This can be easily prevented, by simply refuelling as soon as the low-fuel indicator goes on,” he added.
While there is no traffic fine for running out of petrol per se, people who run out of petrol and stop in the middle of the road can be fined for obstructing the flow of traffic or for stopping in the middle of the road, depending on the situation.
Obstructing the flow of traffic carries a fine of Dh200, and stopping in the middle of the road carries a fine of Dh500 and four black points.
Major Mohammad Khalfan Al Qaydi, Director of Bur Dubai Traffic Patrols, said that in addition to the petrol problem, another easily preventable issue that leads to accidents is tyre problems.
“We need to shed light on those two issues as we have seen many incidents lately.”
He said that people ignore tyre safety, and end up with punctured or burst tyres, that can put their lives and the lives of others in danger.
“Even if the person manages to park on the hard shoulder and not in the middle of the road, there is a risk of an accident. Many accidents that have taken place recently involved vehicles parked on the hard shoulder.” Major Al Qaydi explained.
If people regularly check their tyres, these incidents and accidents can be prevented.
“There is no shortage of petrol stations around the city. People are advised to not wait till their low-fuel signal goes on, and fill their tanks when they still have a quarter left,” he said.
If some feel their car slowing down and that they are running out of petrol, or that there is a tyre problem, they should immediately park on the hard shoulder.
After parking safely on the hard shoulder, the motorist should place the hazard triangle a sufficient distance away from the vehicle to warn other motorists, then call 999 to inform them that there is an emergency.
