Dubai Police has issued a warning for motorists to slow down and be more careful during driving in the lead-up to Iftar, i.e. the sunset time to end the fast. Today is the 10th day of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting.
The director of the Traffic Department, Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, said that most accidents related to traffic and offences take place in minutes before Iftar because motorists are usually in a hurry as they want to end their fast and want to reach home as soon as possible.
Brig Al Mazroui said, “Many motorists want to reach their houses just before iftar time, and because of that, they commit many traffic violations like speeding, cutting red signal, overtaking and hence cause accidents. Most of the traffic mishaps in Ramadan occur shortly before Iftar.”
In a measure to reduce traffic accidents in Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan, Dubai Police, in cooperation with many charities, are distributing 7000 iftar meals daily to motorists just before iftar time.
Dubai police have chosen junctions while witnessing heavy traffic in the city to give meals to drivers with help from volunteers.
“It is part of our awareness campaign that include activities and endeavours to have a safe Ramadan. Police officers and volunteers will circulate the meals to drivers minutes before Iftar to motivate them to slow down and not surpass speed limits to reach home,” he further added.
Brig Al Mazroui said that drivers commit many offences like driving on the hard shoulder, speeding, not following lane discipline and crossing red signals.
Such violations can cause disastrous accidents. He advised motorists to either leave early for their homes or carry water and dates to end their fast in the car. “That is better than causing huge accidents,” Brig Al Mazroui added.
Police will deploy more patrols around mosques and malls to manage traffic and focus on industrial areas such as Al Quoz, as workers go out in huge numbers before and after Iftar.