Abu Dhabi: Get ready to slow down in bad weather.
When inclement weather brings poor visibility, the speed limit will be reduced to 80km per hour in Abu Dhabi, the Traffic Safety Committee in Abu Dhabi announced on Wednesday.
Bad-weather rules will be enforced when visibility drops to around 200 metres on the road, said officials.
This comes as part of the committee’s plan to implement the highest practices in offering the road traffic safety during such conditions.
The modified road speeds are determined according to the traffic safety during adverse weather.
The modified speeds are to be displayed on the smart overhead signs installed on Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street (Abu Dhabi–Dubai Road) and Shaikh Khalifa Street (Al Saadiyat).
Motorists urged
All motorists are urged to follow the reduced-speed limits until the visibility is clear and return to the regular speed limit signs.
As for roads without smart towers, a fixed speed limit sign with a traffic light will be installed to notify the drivers to reduce the vehicles speed to 80km per hour.
Radar control limits will be adjusted accordingly.
The committee emphasised the importance of benefiting of futuristic solutions and utilising developed systems and programmes to notify the drivers of changes on roads and sending out safe driving tips.
This is to ensure the safety of the public at all times.
In addition, it is important to utilise the National Early Warning System to send out messages and notifications to warn the drivers and residents of adjacent areas and advise them on what to do to keep them safe during such weathers.
The low visibility will be monitored using different channels like National Center of Meteorology and Seismology’s visibility sensors on the smart towers and traffic patrols on these roads.
It said a geographic frame will be identified according to the data and will include adjacent areas too.
The committee advised all drivers to comply with the directions shown on the smart towers, follow the identified speed limits and stop their vehicles in case of the lack of vision.
Additionally, drivers are requested to increase the safe distance between their vehicles and the one in front of them to avoid accidents and to never overtake or change lanes in low visibility conditions.
