Dubai: Dubai Police has called on recovery vehicle drivers to exercise caution and vigilance and to strictly follow occupational safety requirements and procedures when loading or unloading a vehicle from the recovery vehicle.

This warning follows the death of a recovery vehicle driver in the Al Qusais industrial area after a vehicle fell during the unloading process, resulting in his death at the scene.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, stated that the Command and Control Centre at the General Department of Operations received a report about the incident. “It was found that the vehicle suddenly fell during unloading due to negligence and failure to take the necessary occupational safety measures, causing it to fall on the driver who was in the process of unloading it,” he added.

Brig. bin Suwaidan explained that traffic accident experts and patrols were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they began field inspections and collected technical evidence to analyse the circumstances of the incident accurately. He noted that preliminary investigations indicate the fault resulted from misjudgement while operating the crane and failure to secure the carrier safely.

Futhermore, Brig. bin Suwaidan indicated that traffic patrols secured the accident site, regulated traffic flow in the area to prevent congestion or further incidents, and facilitated the arrival of ambulance and rescue teams who dealt with the situation swiftly and efficiently.

Brig. bin Suwaidan affirmed that this type of incident highlights the danger of negligence and non-compliance with safety procedures during transport and loading operations, whether on public roads or at construction sites. He stressed the importance of full compliance with security and safety standards when handling heavy equipment to avoid similar incidents.

The Director of the General Department of Traffic noted that Dubai Police places great importance on raising awareness among drivers and workers across various sectors through field awareness programmes and specialised media campaigns aimed at promoting safe behaviour on roads and in public areas. “The General Department of Traffic also continues to implement the latest smart systems and advanced technologies to monitor dangerous behaviours and reduce the causes of accidents, ensuring the safety of lives and property,” Brig. bin Suwaidan concluded.