Manama: Qatar’s interior ministry has issued warnings to drivers to be extra cautious as fog blanketed the country.
The ministry said that 113 accidents were recorded on Tuesday, due to “heavy fog and non-adherence with traffic rules to be followed during adverse weather conditions.”
However, no deaths or serious injuries were reported in the accidents that took place mainly on Al Khor Coastal Road and Shamal Road.
“The competent authorities in the Interior Ministry took the necessary measures to prevent more accidents,” the ministry posted on its website. “Patrols were deployed to suspend traffic temporarily in some areas and to enhance safety measures where needed. The patrols also removed damaged cars from the highway.”
The ministry said that drivers should enquire about the weather conditions before they move on the roads.
Safe driving practices
“Driving in adverse weather conditions such as rain or thick fog requires following a set of guidelines to ensure safety. Drivers, for instance, should allow more distance between vehicles than in normal circumstances, avoid overtaking regardless of the speed of the other vehicle except in ideal conditions and change lanes only when really necessary,” the ministry said.
“If the fog is too dense to continue, drivers should not hesitate to pull completely off the road and to park the vehicle on the right side of the road. Drivers must not use high-beam lights or hazard lights while driving as they are meant only for emergency stopping. They should instead use fog lights or low beam headlights.”
In neighbouring Bahrain, 33 accidents were reported in three hours of poor visibility resulting from the fog that hit the country in the early morning.
The accidents coincided with the morning rush to work and schools.
The meteorological directorate forecast a “cool and humid weather with fog patches in places, but generally fine during the day” for Wednesday.
