Road Safety

Lorry drivers must heed safety rules – Letter to the editor – The National Dt. 07 February 2014

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Safety is of paramount importance when it comes to the presence and behaviour of lorries on our highways (Set maximum driving hours for truck drivers, UAE transport companies told,February 3).
It is important for drivers of heavy vehicles to have periodic training about maintaining safety and discipline on the road.
It is essential for logistics controllers to allow sufficient time for vehicles to complete a journey, taking into account all anticipated traffic delays on the route.

It is also very important for other road users to report any rash driving involving heavy vehicles.
All large vehicles should be required to display a reachable contact number for other motorists to contact if they see poor driving, speeding or a faulty vehicle.
This should also be the case for lorries coming into the UAE from other countries. Often their number plates are hidden behind a road permit board.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit, THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, The National.

There has to be a way to report rash driving – Community Report – Gulf News – Dt 27th January 2014

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No way to report bad driving

Reader says that all buses should have contact details to report bad driving practices.
By Ramesh Menon Gulf News reader
Published: 18:07 January 26, 2014

The effort by the UAE transport authorities to streamline road safety is getting side tracked by some inadvertent measures taken by transport carriers. Or are they intentional?

I am referring to the regulation to display a contact number on the mini and heavy buses carrying passengers. These days, many of them do not have a signboard and some of them display email addresses or switchboard numbers. Both are not effective, in case of an emergency situation, or in order to report road rage noticed on the road.

What was surprising to me was the fact that even school buses did not carry these signboards. In addition, these signs are to be written in lumniscent letters in a sufficiently large size so that they can be read easily during the day or night.

These boards should also be placed on all the government-owned transport vehicles, as they are also seen driving on the hard shoulder at times.

A few days ago, I struggled to find out the details of a speeding bus driver who was continuously flashing the headlights at me and driving at a speed higher than the regulatory speed. On another occasion, I was too shocked to see a big trailer speeding within the city of Abu Dhabi, but there was really no way to find out the company details or contacts for those responsible for it.

We need more awareness on the dangers of heavy vehicles speeding. I humbly request the concerned authorities to ensure these traffic regulations are strictly followed.

The reader is based in Abu Dhabi.

To read it in original, visit GULF NEWS online

This entry was posted in Community Reports, Gulf News, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, TQM.

Campaign Safety First – Start Early, Drive Carefully, Reach Safely

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Start Early, Drive Carefully and Reach Safely. A campaign part of the “Safey First” series to create an awareness on rash driving scene on our roads these days. Share it with your friends and family. Let “Safety First” be your mantra. The campaign is part of a TQM project initiated through my blog http://www.clicksandwrites.blogspot.com and Passionate Photographers group on Facebook. God Bless.

This entry was posted in HSE, Road Safety, Safety First, TQM.

Get tough with errant motorists – Letters to the editor – The National Dt. 26 January 2014

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Get tough with errant motorists

It is extremely sad to read that within a week’s gap another major multiple-car collision happened on the UAE roads (Heavy fog on Abu Dhabi to Dubai motorway causes mass vehicle pile-ups, January 24).

Obviously the weather is not the culprit, as similar conditions are experienced by people in many other countries across the world. The main culprit are the drivers themselves.

A lot has to be done in terms of driving practices and attitude of drivers, especially during such unfavourable weather conditions. I would suggest the authorities implement new rules incorporating mandatory reduction of speed limit by 40 per cent during inclement weather conditions.

At the same time, fines should be doubled or tripled with compulsory community services for errant motorists.

A strong sense of road safety should be cultivated through sustained efforts. More police presence and warning signs could also be part of the solution. Meanwhile, one could follow the simple principle: start early, drive carefully, reach safely.


Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, The National.

It’s drivers, not the fog, that caused 57-vehicle crash – Letters to the editor – The National – 19 January 2014

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It’s drivers, not the fog, that caused 57-vehicle crash
Letters to the editor – The National online dated 18 January 2014
in print 19 January 2014
Your news article, 57-vehicle pile-up brings traffic to a standstill on Al Ain-Abu Dhabi highway (January 16), reflects a black day in the history of road safety in the UAE, even though on this occasion it seems there were no fatalities.
The issue is, once again, drivers’ behaviour during adverse weather conditions. Some of our roads, and especially the Dubai-Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi-Al Ain roads, have strange weather pockets where one experiences dense fog with visibility below 50 meters.
Some drivers ignore the danger and continue to drive fast without any caution for themselves or others. When they encounter drivers ahead who have reduced their speed, the result is a multiple collision of the kind in your article.
The UAE is lucky to have both modern weather forecasting equipment and a comprehensive road-control system. The police should join forces with meteorological experts and issue alerts about dangerous weather conditions such as fog or sandstorms more promptly than they do now. This should be backed by deploying patrol cars on these roads during these foggy mornings so that they create a sense of caution among those who speed.
The speed limit ought to be temporarily lowered by 40 per cent during times of poor visibility, with speed cameras adjusted to suit. In times of fog and sandstorms, the fines for speeding ought to be doubled and those repeat offenders ought to have their licences suspended or cars impounded.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, The National.

‘Safety First’ mantra – Gulf Today – Short Take – Dt 18 January 2014

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‘Safety First’ mantra
The year 2014 for the UAE literally began with a big bang when Dubai created history with one of the most exhilarating fireworks display ever witnessed in recent times. It took great effort and lots of dedicated man-hours to achieve the fantastic feat.
Meanwhile, the Chinese year of the Horse has already gained momentum and we are already into its third week within no time.
Promoting safety is one aspect I have been concentrating on for sometime now — especially road safety.
Whichever way one tries to educate people, it is careless minds and actions that spoil all the good work, which is very sad. However, our focus should not be derailed and efforts to maintain safety should continue with sustained interest and dedication.
The recent accident on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Highway is a case in point. If only sufficient caution had been exercised by those on the road at the time, the accident – which was one of the most serious on the emirate’s roads — could have been averted.
The other day, I was overtaken by a minibus, whose speed limit is supposed to be 80kmph, while I was cruising along at just below that speed. Seeing that I was not inclined to accelerate, he began gesticulating and shouting at me. I gave him way and he sped past at a much higher speed than permitted.
I allowed him to overtake me in order to note down the details of his transport company so as to alert them about his driving style.
After a signal, when I finally caught up with him, by way of mocking at me to slow down, he began indicating to me the presence of a speed camera that was installed ahead.
The incident reinforces my belief that there will be no escape from tragedies till road users stop making mockery of traffic safety regulations.
Let “Safety First” remain our mantra for the benefit of all.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online (Short Take – Gulf Today – Dt. 18 January 2014)

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, Short Take.

Road safety is a matter for us all – Letters to the editor – The National Dt 14 January 2014

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Road safety is a matter for us all


Road safety is a matter for us all

I regularly drive between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and concur with the views expressed about road safety in the UAE (Offences show a fatal disregard for UAE traffic rules, January 7).
It all comes down to the attitude of drivers on our roads. It seems to me that it is always the same set of drivers who speed.
If you observe the traffic coming back from Abu Dhabi on Thursdays, or any normal day after 3pm, you will see many cars driving at a fast pace, bumper to bumper, with the drivers trying to bully their way past other vehicles.
The authorities should show no leniency towards anybody, as the rules are meant for the safety of everyone on the road.
The police and transport authorities should join forces with all government and private institutions to make sure that everybody understands and obeys the traffic rules.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, The National.

Parents urged not to drive with children on their laps

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Parents urged not to drive with children on their laps – My Letters – Gulf News Dt 31.01.2012

Dubai: Traffic officials have warned parents against driving with infants on their laps, as they are risking their child’s life by doing so, engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said yesterday.
As many as 13 infants were injured in traffic accidents last year, but the number has dropped considerably as compared to the year before.
 
Two fatalities
 
According to traffic accident statistics of 2011, a 35 per cent drop in the number of infants (between the age of 0 to 2) injured in accidents was recorded.

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While 20 infants were injured in traffic accidents in 2010, the number dropped to 13 in 2011, she said. Two infant fatalities were recorded in 2010 as well as in 2011.
RTA credited the drop in injuries to a Child Safety Programme, launched at Latifa Hospital and Dubai Hospital in 2009. Over 1,000 mothers are members of the programme.
  • 13: infants were hurt in road accidents in 2011
  • 20: infants were injured the previous year
My comments as follows:
Added15:33 January 31, 2012

This is a common scenario. I get to see and keep a controlled silence, because, I wonder, what they think about their own safety, their child’s safety, others who are in the car, and on the road at the same time with them. I really do not know. Women are not exemption. Last week, while driving on Shaikh Zayed Road, I watched with awe a woman, with a fully tinted four wheel drive speeding with her child on her lap (between the door and the seat) and even more, talking on the phone. God, save us, and reach us back home safe, that is the only prayer, I have, when I drive each time from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and back.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf News, HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2012, Road Safety, Safety First.