Abu Dhabi Police will cut the speed limit on a major road connecting the capital to Al Ain from Monday in an effort to boost road safety.
The force said the speed limit on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road — on the section from Al Sad bridge to Al Amera bridge — would be reduced from 160 kilometres an hour to 140kph.
The decision was made with the support of the emirate's Integrated Transport Centre.
Abu Dhabi Police called on motorists to abide by the new maximum speed limit
“Traffic studies have shown that reducing speed leads to improvements in road safety levels,” the force said.
Two people died and 11 were injured in February when a bus collided with another vehicle in the Ramah area, on the road from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain.
Lt Col Saif Al Amri, deputy director of the traffic department in Al Ain, said preliminary investigations showed that speeding, sudden changing of lanes and a failure to leave sufficient space between vehicles were all factors that led to the accident.
Speed cameras on the section of road will be set at 140kph from Monday.
In September, Abu Dhabi Police introduced a new speed limit on another main road in the capital.
The force explained that a section of the Sheikh Zayed Road would now have a reduced speed limit of 100 kilometres an hour from 120kph.
The new limit applied to the Qasr Al Bahr intersection in both directions.
It is one of the main routes into the capital from the outer suburbs and Dubai.
Improving road safety
Abu Dhabi removed a buffer on stated road limits in August, 2018.
Under the rule, which remains in place across the rest of the country, motorists can travel up to 20kph faster than posted limits without the risk of being fined.
Abu Dhabi Police carry out frequent awareness campaigns in a bid to boost safety and reduce accidents on roads.
A road safety initiative launched by the force received more than 35 million views on social media platforms in the first six months of the year.
In April, Abu Dhabi Police completed the installation of new electronic panels and speed signs on main roads in the emirate to warn drivers to reduce speed in hazardous weather conditions.
They are activated during rain, strong winds, sandstorms, and fog. Panels flash the speed limit of 80kph and warn motorists to keep a safe distance between vehicles.
Police also regularly post footage of real-life traffic accidents that occurred on Abu Dhabi’s roads in an effort to highlight the dangers of breaking traffic laws.
The short CCTV clips, which are posted regularly, show different types of road accidents to alert drivers to the dangers of poor road behaviours, including driving when distracted and switching lanes at the last minute.
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4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
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7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
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Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am
Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am
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2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
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