Sharjah — Six Emiratis sustained injuries in a severe four-vehicle collision on Emirates Road in Sharjah on Friday afternoon, the Sharjah Police reported. Due to the severity of the crash, several individuals had to be airlifted to hospitals for immediate medical care.
Preliminary investigations by the Sharjah Police have attributed the collision to speeding and distracted driving. The pile-up unfolded as one vehicle, reportedly traveling over the speed limit, failed to recognize a dense traffic build-up ahead.
This vehicle ploughed into the cars in front, triggering a chain reaction that ultimately involved four vehicles, authorities stated.
Abdullah Al Munazari, head of the Traffic and Patrol Department of the Sharjah Police, noted that the initial vehicle had exceeded the speed limit on this busy stretch of Emirates Road, failing to notice the heavy traffic ahead due to driver distraction. The pile-up took place on the Emirates Road lane from Al Badie Bridge toward Bridge No. 7.
Upon receiving the report, emergency response teams were promptly dispatched to the scene, where they found drivers and passengers with injuries ranging from moderate to severe.
In response to the critical condition of several victims, the rescue operation included airlifting a number of them to nearby hospitals to receive urgent care.
Al Munazari reiterated the need for drivers to adhere to traffic regulations, emphasizing that speeding and inattentive driving contribute significantly to accidents on UAE roads. This latest incident highlights the persistent issue of drivers failing to maintain focus on the road, leading to dangerous and sometimes fatal situations.
The Sharjah Police, alongside other national law enforcement agencies, have been intensifying their traffic safety campaigns to raise public awareness.
Their initiatives focus on the consequences of distracted driving, particularly as authorities have observed an increase in accidents stemming from drivers’ diverted attention.
In a similar incident recently in Abu Dhabi, road cameras captured a van driver who, due to lack of attention, caused a seven-vehicle pile-up.
Authorities emphasized that advanced road cameras now in place across UAE highways are capable of detecting unsafe behavior, such as speeding and distracted driving, even through tinted windows.
In a recent example of these high-tech surveillance capabilities, Dubai Police radars captured a driver operating two mobile phones while behind the wheel.
Another driver was seen reading a newspaper, entirely blocking her view of the road ahead, creating a dangerous situation for all nearby motorists.
Authorities continue to stress that the potential consequences of distracted driving are often severe. This recent Emirates Road accident underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and responsibility among drivers to ensure public safety on the country’s roads.