Tragic Accident: Ex-UAE Soldier Fatally Injured in Disastrous Wreck During Relaxing Getaway in Salalah Over the Weekend
A fatal car crash on Oman's Haima Road on August 2, 2025, claimed the life of an Emirati father, Mohammad Faraj, a 70-year-old former UAE soldier, and an Omani teacher [1][3]. The collision, which also injured his wife and daughter, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving practices when traveling to Salalah.
Mohammad Faraj, a 27-year veteran of the UAE Armed Forces, and his family were en route to Salalah when their vehicle collided head-on with another car on the highway [1]. The route, which is a popular choice for UAE residents traveling to Salalah, features narrow and sharply curved turns, making careful driving and speed reduction essential despite speed limits around 80 km/h [1].
For UAE residents planning to travel to Salalah via Oman, the following safety tips are advisable:
- Drive cautiously and reduce speed on narrow and sharp curves, particularly on roads like Haima Road, where accidents have occurred due to head-on collisions and challenging road geometry [1].
- Ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and suitable for long-distance travel, with particular attention to brakes and tires [2].
- Stay updated on local traffic regulations and road conditions, as Oman has seen a string of accidents recently, including multi-vehicle and truck collisions, which suggests the need for extra vigilance [2].
- Avoid overtaking on blind or curved sections of the highway, and keep a safe distance from other vehicles [2].
- Use seatbelts at all times and avoid distractions such as mobile phone use while driving [2].
- Rest adequately before the trip and take breaks during long drives to avoid fatigue [2].
- Have emergency contacts and medical aid information handy, and if possible, share your travel itinerary with family [2].
These precautions are especially important given the recent tragic accidents on Omani highways, including the fatal one on Haima Road [1][2][3]. Awareness of the road conditions and responsible driving are imperative to enhance safety for UAE residents traveling to Salalah through Oman.
The accident also resulted in the death of an Omani citizen and the injury of three others [3]. Visibility often drops due to fog and mist, so using fog lights and low beams, instead of high beams, is crucial [2].
In addition to the recent accident, another tragic incident occurred in 2019, when an Indian family of four was involved in a car crash on their way back from Salalah, resulting in the death of the father, mother, and eight-month-old baby boy [3].
These incidents underscore the importance of taking all necessary precautions when traveling to Salalah via Oman. Let us remember Mohammad Faraj and all those who have lost their lives in these accidents, and let us strive to make our roads safer for everyone.
- The fatal car crash on Oman's Haima Road involving a former UAE soldier, Mohammad Faraj, serves as a reminder of the importance of safe driving practices when traveling to Salalah, especially considering the recent string of accidents in the region.
- Travelers planning to journey to Salalah via Oman should heed the following safety advice: be mindful of narrow and sharp curves, maintain their vehicles, stay updated on local road conditions, avoid overtaking on blind or curved sections, use seatbelts, rest adequately before the trip, and have emergency contacts available.
- Given the tragic accidents that have occurred on Omani highways, using fog lights and low beams instead of high beams is vital during times of reduced visibility, such as when fog and mist are present.
- Accidents, like the recent one on Haima Road and the one in 2019 that claimed the lives of an Indian family, vividly demonstrate the necessity of taking all the required precautions when traveling to Salalah.
- Beyond road safety, it is essential to be aware of war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, war-and-conflicts, and general-news in the region to ensure a safe journey.
- Food for thought: In addition to reminding us to drive safely and take precautions, these accidents should inspire us to advocate for improvements in car-accident policies, striving for a future where such tragedies are rare.
