HIBAPRESS
The National Road Safety Agency has called on various categories of road users to exercise extreme vigilance and caution, and to postpone their unnecessary trips until the weather conditions improve, following the orange alert issued by the General Directorate of Meteorology, which predicts sometimes heavy thunderstorms, snowfall, and strong stormy winds starting tomorrow, Tuesday, in a number of regions of the Kingdom.
The agency also urged, in a statement today, Monday, drivers of public passenger transport buses and drivers of freight transport trucks to redouble their attention and caution while driving and follow the weather bulletins to schedule their trips between cities and regions. In this context, the agency confirmed that bad weather conditions constitute a compounding factor for the risks of traffic accidents, which requires all road users to strictly adhere to traffic laws and respect the rules and requirements of road safety and prevention. It stressed, in this regard, the need to subject vehicles to regular mechanical maintenance, and to conduct a thorough technical inspection of safety devices, while ensuring the safety of tires, braking devices, springs, windshield wipers, and vehicle lights, and that they are free of any technical defects that may contribute to traffic accidents. It also called for getting enough rest before driving, reminding that fatigue and exhaustion lead to loss of focus and poor cognitive ability, and negatively affect the assessment of distances and speed, and also limit the speed of making the appropriate decision while driving. It also stressed the need to reduce speed and adapt it to the road conditions and climatic conditions, with full adherence to traffic rules, especially at curves, slopes, rough and winding roads, and avoiding excessive or inappropriate speed for difficult weather conditions. The statement highlighted the importance of avoiding the risk of skidding by driving carefully on wet or snow-covered roads and avoiding excessive speed, with the use of appropriate and equipped rubber tires when necessary; and doubling attention while driving at night, or when visibility is poor due to fog, while ensuring the correct use of lights and avoiding light glare; as well as exercising extreme caution when crossing bridges and ensuring that they are not submerged in water and complying with road signs and adhering to the instructions issued by the competent authorities. The statement also noted the importance of respecting the legal safety distance between vehicles inside and outside the urban area, especially on national roads and highways, to avoid sudden collisions; while exercising caution and care while overtaking, and not undertaking it unless clear visibility and safe conditions are available; and avoiding driving in the form of tightly packed convoys, and respecting the rules of stopping and parking, and avoiding sudden maneuvers or sudden changes in direction; in addition to paying special attention to the unprotected categories of pedestrians and users of motorcycles and bicycles. The National Road Safety Agency called on all citizens to interact positively with these preventive tips and guidelines, stressing that adherence to traffic laws is a collective duty that contributes to protecting lives and reducing traffic accidents.
