Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a campaign to reduce the increasing number of traffic accidents during Ramadan and cites exhaustion and drowsiness as the main causes. Last year, 13 people lost their lives and 98 were injured in 182 road accidents during Ramadan.
According to RTA representatives, failing to maintain safe distance between vehicles is a leading cause of accidents during Ramadan. As part of the awareness campaign, RTA advises drivers to ensure effective air conditioning in vehicles, remain in an upright position while driving and maintain a safe distance from nearby vehicles.
Drivers should also avoid driving if feeling fatigued and are encouraged to pull over to take a rest if they feel drowsy while on the road. RTA also advises drivers to be on the alert for sudden swerving, which was responsible for 572 accidents in Dubai last year and accounts for 19.5 percent of total number of road accidents.
RTA Dubai has also banned heavy truck movement during Ramadan on Al Ittehad Road and sections of the Shaikh Zayed Road. In Deira and Bur Dubai heavy trucks are not allowed on the road from 7 am to 11 pm. The regular prohibited timings are 6 am to 10 pm. In other areas, the trucks are banned from 7:30 am to 9:30 am.