Drivers of heavy vehicles have been banned from using the Abu Dhabi section of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway in a bid to cut the number of accidents involving lorries.
The Traffic and Licensing Department at Abu Dhabi General Directorate of Police announced the new rule which stipulates that all the vehicles over 2.5 tonnes cannot enter the Abu Dhabi-Dubai Highway. The rule came into effect yesterday.
The department has drawn up an alternate route for the truck drivers heading to and from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
A source said: "All the trucks with a 2.5-tonne capacity coming from Dubai will have to take the new route at Seih Shoib Bridge on the Al Faih Road. And those coming from Tariff heading towards Dubai are advised to take the Truck Road from the Brick Factory Bridge to Al Faiah Road."
The department further advised lorry drivers coming from Maqta Bridge and Musafah to follow the Truck Road at Brick Factory Bridge towards Alfaih Road.
| Recommended alternative routes * Trucks with a 2.5-tonne capacity coming from Dubai must take the new route at Seih Shoib Bridge on the Al Faih Road. * Vehicles from Tariff heading towards Dubai should take the Truck Road from the Brick Factory Bridge to Al Faiah Road. * Heavy vehicles from Maqta Bridge and Musafah must take the Truck Road at Brick Factory Bridge towards Alfaih Road. * Drivers of heavy vehicles who have good reason to enter the highway must obtain permission from officials. |
The move comes after the authority had witnessed a rise in the number of road accidents involving trucks on the highway.
Before the new rule came into effect, the local authority banned all heavy vehicles and small pickups from over taking other cars on all roads in the emirate.
However, public transport companies, which run buses and coaches, complained that the restriction had delayed their trips.
