MB Petroelum third party fatality

1
Safety Alert
No. 10 June 98

Committed to Safety
Camels
Background Several recent incidents have
occurred where vehicles have hit camels. In
the first incident a contractor mechanics
vehicle hit and killed a camel. The accident
happened at dusk. The driver was dazzled by the
headlights of an oncoming vehicle, which did not
dip its main beam lights, as it approached the
mechanics vehicle. The driver slowed down due to
the glare but did not see the camels crossing the
road until it was too late.The vehicle suffered
moderate damage to the front and bonnet area.
However, fortunately both occupants were wearing
seat belts and they escaped unhurt. In the
second incident a light bus hit and killed a
camel. Again this incident occurred at dusk. The
bus contained the driver and two passengers. The
front part of the bus hit the camel. The
front-seat area of the bus therefore took the
main impact forces and it suffered major damage.
However, the driver and the front seat passenger
are believed to have been wearing seat belts,
they suffered major injuries, but they survived
the collision. The passenger in the rear of the
bus was also injured. There has also been a
recent incident near Qarn Alam where a vehicle
hit a camel. We were fortunate as no personnel
were injured. However, this accident did resulted
in the death of the camel and vehicle damage.
Learning Points and Action to Prevent
Recurrence Camels are always a danger to vehicles
travelling on Interior roads. Camels can, and do,
change direction with no warning. This danger is
greatly increased during dusk or at night, when
they are more difficult to see. Notwithstanding
the current requirement that camel owners keep
their camels under control and prevent them
straying onto black-topped roads during the hours
from dusk until dawn, drivers must still exercise
the greatest vigilance at all times when driving
on Interior roads - Avoid travelling on
Interior roads (including black-topped roads)
after dusk unless the journey is
necessary. - If you are driving and are
dazzled by the undipped lights of an oncoming
vehicle, slow down and stop safely until your
vision is restored and you can clearly see the
road ahead. - Dip your own lights when
approaching other traffic. - Drive at a speed
at which you can safely stop within the range of
your lights. - Remain vigilant for the presence
of camels at all times. Expect them to do the
unexpected at any time. _____________________