Abu Dhabi bans lorries for rush hour

Heavy vehicles and lorries are to be banned from entering Abu Dhabi roads during rush hour starting from next month.

The decision, made by Abu Dhabi Police in collaboration with the Department of Transport, is to provide smooth traffic flow, make roads safer and reduce accidents.

Heavy vehicles and trucks will be prohibited from entering the city and its suburbs between 6.30am and 9am and between 3pm and 6pm, police announced yesterday.

“Road signs have been placed on the city’s main roads and suburbs that display the ban times,” said Lt Col Mohammed Al Shehhi, Abu Dhabi Police’s director of traffic engineering and road safety.

Heavy vehicle drivers will be fined Dh1,000 plus four black points on their licences for entering prohibited roads or areas.

Lt Col Al Shehhi said the move came within the directorate’s strategy to improve Abu Dhabi’s roads.

The plan also includes procedures to set speed limits for heavy vehicles on external roads, prevent overtaking and a ban on driving during low visibility, caused by fog or unstable weather conditions.