Roads & Transport Authority - News Details

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) called on motorists to avoid driving while feeling exhausted or drowsy, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, where the attentiveness of some motorists drops due to the change of eating and sleeping habits.

Eng. Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency, RTA, said, “The Traffic and Roads Agency is acting in accordance with the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy in collaboration with partners to educate drivers about the risks of driving while under fatigue and exhaustion. The noble values of the holy month need to be reflected on the attitudes of individuals, such as the compliance with the traffic rules and avoiding offensive driving at the expense of other road users.”

She stated that the Traffic and Roads Agency would wish to praise the efforts of partners who were keen to deliver a host of educative messages to the largest possible number of motorists to ensure the success of the campaign named (Enjoy Your Fasting, Remain Focused on the Road). She thanked the Investment Corporation Dubai and Michelin Company for their contribution to broadcasting awareness messages to Dubai Taxi drivers through leaflets distributed with Iftar meals during Ramadan. Awareness messages were also delivered via Iftar coupons distributed to novice drivers at the Emirates Driving Institute, Emirates Transport Institute, Dubai Driving Center, and Bin Yaber Driving Institute.

“RTA will send awareness messages via social media channels, sites, and messaging signs to raise the public awareness about safe driving during Ramadan. The variation of sleeping and duty timings during Ramadan tends to impact the attention of fasting motorists; which is visible at the time of driving from the workplace to home where the driver’s concentration drops to the minimum; which impacts the ability of the driver to take the proper decision at the right time. Therefore, extra caution & attention is required when driving from the workplace back to home to avoid accidents,” warned Maitha.

“Most traffic accidents that take place in Ramadan are attributed to the lack of leaving a safe distance between vehicles. Drivers are therefore encouraged to leave enough distance between vehicles. They are advised to switch on air-conditioners while driving as the hot conditions give rise to the feeling of exhaustion. The driver has to maintain an upright position while seated and keep the head raised while driving,” she noted.

Drivers are recommended to take enough rest before sitting behind the wheel and cease driving once feeling very tired, drowsy or yawning. Relaxing and resting for a short period may help the driver to complete the journey safely. Once drivers hear the call for Maghreb prayer while driving, they must stop to take a light Iftar, even if a glass of water and few dates, before resuming the journey,” she added.

Trucks Prohibited Timings

Earlier with the beginning of the holy month, RTA restricted trucks movement timings on E11 Road in the sector from Sharjah border to the 7th interchange of the Sheikh Zayed Road (via Ittihad Road, Sheikh Rashid Road and Sheikh Zayed Road). Trucks movement is prohibited in the downtown areas of Deira and Bur Dubai from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm instead of 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. The prohibited movement timings are in the morning period in roads subject to three prohibited timings per day. Accordingly, the prohibited timing are from 07:30 am to 09:30 am, instead of the timing during other months of the year (06:30 to 08:30). The movement of trucks is prohibited throughout the year through Al Shindagha Bridge, Al Maktoum Bridge, Floating Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Business Bay Bridge and the Airport Tunnel.