Team-BHP - Horrific accident on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuttapan (Post 754694)

Steeroid bhai, Where art thou? Hope you are alright !

Thank you for the thought - I'm alright. This is not the route I normally take and in any case I'm stuck at home these days, babysitting a little boy with Chicken Pox. I've got some pics/videos by email today, will check and post if they are different from the ones already in here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ab1xlr8 (Post 754834)

i donot understand how can hey drive fast when they cannot see in the fog,

ackkal badi ya bhaais badi

in all Gulf countries its the same. they only know to drive straight, tea / pepsi / coffee in one hand, mobile to ear supported by shoulder, and sometimes even newspaper on steering.

This trend is slowly catching with more of Indians (sorry to say that) I have seen who kind of think its "Style"!!!

Finally there is no common sense (as its not common).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torqy (Post 754797)

If there was fog and no visibility why were they driving fast?
Beats me...!

:(

-- Torqy

I wasnt there so I cannot comment on whether they were actually driving fast or not, but these guys are not dumb.

Traffic along the highway is pretty dense, especially in the mornings. It is not uncommon for a small incident to result in a pileup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jr Godzilla (Post 755337)

in all Gulf countries its the same. they only know to drive straight, tea / pepsi / coffee in one hand, mobile to ear supported by shoulder, and sometimes even newspaper on steering.

Absolutely right. They keep blaming nature for fog. But even on a small rain, which occures rarely, they don't know how to drive and often end up in skidding / hitting and all sort of mishaps. Very sad, but hope this incident will open their eyes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat (Post 754376)

Hazard lights are meant to be used when to signify danger or used when car is stationary to warn of a hazard.

In asia, people switch them on as if it forms a protective barrier and drive right on!

I think speed is the main cause here. In mountain passes, truck drivers switch on hazard lights to indicate they are travelling at much lower speed.
Of course they do not change lanes or anything like that with these lights on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker (Post 754225)

driving with HAZARD LIGHTS on : but why? driving with hazard lights turned on can be hazardous at times....

It is normal (and good) practice to use the hazard lights in expressways, especially when one has to slow down suddenly in the fast lane, and the visibility is low. The hazard lights will get quicker reaction from the drivers in the cars in the rear.

of course, no lane change should be done with the hazard lights on.

That is a ghastly sight. Let us spare a thought for the families who lost their loved ones.

A few observations I have made while travelling on this route:

1. SUVs (owned by certain strata of society, usually driven by adolescents or slightly older) travel at break neck speeds on the fast lane with no regard to the speed cams. From what I hear, the big guns negotiate a special deal for all their cars annually with the traffic department for accrued traffic fines.

2. Climatic conditions - fog, sand storms, rain do not deter drivers. They maintain their regular speed.

3. Another trick used up the above mentioned SUV drivers is to sneak up right behind you with their headlights switched off at night (in the fast lane) and then switch them back on when dangerously close to you, potentially blinding/upsetting an inexperienced driver.

4. As someone pointed out, a hot beverage and a mobile phone are fixtures.

In usual circumstances, all is well because lane discipline is good. But married with low visibility or rain, this can be a lethal combination.

Exactly, thats what they follow in Dubai too, as I have experienced but people drive with all the road basics, in the lane, indicators while changing lanes but they drive extremely fast 100-120 and above.

They know where the speed radars are so they slow down and speed up after it.

A crash at those speeds and under high traffic volume cannot be lesser than fatal.

Bad accident.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder (Post 755444)

It is very shocking to see devastating accident. I observed many times
before, the drivers in UAE using these highways drive very fast even when the fog is very thick and visibility is so bad you cannot see 10 feet.
I find fog in UAE is so thick that it is better just keep away from driving.
If it needs to drive then traffic authorities strictly forced the drivers
to drive very slowly. But unfortunately it is not followed by all and results in such tragedy. It is also observed some people drive automatic cars with one foot up in their lap. Regular road users on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway
I observed knows where the traffic monitor devices were installed, they
slow down and speed up again where they find out of range of radars.
All these leads to situation which put themselves in danger.

My condelences to breaved families and pray for recovery of the injured
people.

One guy has remarked in the comments section(Gulf News) that he was proceeding at 140 kph in the opposite lane in fog, when he came upon the pileup. He says he learnt a lesson after seeing the accident. Does one need such reminders to learn elementary things?