The UAE on Tuesday unveiled a major nationwide road project aimed at tackling accident hot spots, reducing flood risks and making the school run safer.
Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said the comprehensive scheme would use interactive warning systems on routes where frequent accidents occur and would pinpoint areas needing more pedestrian crossings.
Under the National Programme for Infrastructure Development – also known as Salamah 365 – authorities will monitor dams and valleys for potential flooding.
Sixteen dams and nine valleys across the country will be targeted in a pilot scheme.
Flooding during bouts of heavy rain can cause hazardous road conditions and a spike in crashes.
“The UAE is a pioneer in adopting ambitious initiatives and projects and issuing regulations that ensure our dams, roads, and buildings are state of the art,” said Mr Al Mazrouei, in remarks carried by state news agency Wam.
He said the ministry was keen to work with federal and local government and the private sector to ensure safety in all conditions.
Hassan Al Mansouri, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said the key initiative would also boost the safety of pupils through a 'smart school model', although more details were not given.
“The ministry will continue to forge ahead to become a successful model for cutting-edge infrastructure and transport,” said Mr Al Mansouri.
“Salamah 365 is an outcome of our joint efforts with our partners, and it will go a long way in strengthening the UAE’s global leadership in the sector.”
UAE road safety drive
In May, Abu Dhabi Police launched a road alert system warning drivers of bad weather and traffic accidents.
Coloured lights are used, with blue and red flashing together to warn of traffic incidents, while a yellow light alerts drivers to bad weather such as fog, rain or dust storms.
The alerts are powered by solar energy and internal batteries and are visible from 200 metres, day and night.
New rules meaning motorists face fines of Dh400 for travelling below 120 kph on the first two lanes of the four-lane Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road also came into effect in May.
The maximum speed on the route, which links Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will remain 140 kph.
“The goal of the low-speed activation is to ensure the safety of drivers, to require slow vehicles to move on the right lanes and to always make way for vehicles with preference coming from behind or from the left,” said Gen Ahmed Saif Al Muhairi, director of the Central Operations Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, following the announcement of the new rules.
Fewer deaths but rise in injuries on roads
More people were injured but fewer died in traffic accidents in the UAE last year, Ministry of Interior figures issued in June showed.
The number of crashes increased by 13 per cent in 2022 – to 3,945 up from 3,488 in 2021.
The ministry said 343 people died in accidents in 2022, down from 381.
The number of people injured almost doubled to 5,045, from 2,620 the year before.
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Company profile
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Founded: 2020
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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