A recent survey that was analyzed and published by a road safety portal reported that the risk of road accidents during Ramadan in the UAE increases during the early morning rush-hour.
The website RoadSafetyUAE.com analyzed 1,651 accident reports last year, and here are three crucial findings:
(1) Motorists, aged 40 and above, and male motorists are especially vulnerable to road accidents.
(2) Peak accident timings are around the mid-morning rush hour from 10-11am
(3) Tuesdays are the most dangerous days, Sundays the least dangerous
The survey also cited that more accidents happen on a Tuesday in the late morning from 10-11am. Saturdays are the least dangerous days.
It warned motorists to be extra careful during the Ramadan season this year, as the holy month “coincides with the hot summer weather”.
It also cautioned motorists that: “Fasting can result in dehydration and low blood sugar, which in turn can affect our attentiveness, concentration, vision and reaction.”
“Irregular meal timings and sleep patterns can cause fatigue, exhaustion, impatience and distraction,” the study said. When these factors come into play, they can affect the behavior and attention of drivers while behind the wheel.
On social media, the Roads and Transport Authority Dubai reminds all motorists to take full rest before driving, and not to resist the urge to sleep to avoid road accidents.
Here are the four most common mishap factors and prevention tips from UAE traffic authorities and experts:
[icon name=”car” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]1 Using cellular phone while driving
During the first three months this year (2018), Dubai Police have issued 12,257 traffic fines to motorists for using their cellular phones while driving. Although there is a drop of 24 percent compared to the same period last year, which booked 16,090 fines, it’s still a huge number despite non-stop reminders of police to be more careful when driving. The offense attracts a fine of Dh800 and four black points.
Caution: Drivers must stop taking photos, or using cellphone for any reason, as this can slow down reaction time in relation to other road users. It might also lead to lane deviation, slow down the vehicle below the speed limit, and increase the probability of jumping a red light.
Penalty: Dhs800 and 4 black points
[icon name=”car” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]2 Sudden swerving
Sudden swerving or queue jumping is another reckless act. People usually do this when the traffic flow is dense. There were 19,430 of these violations in 2016, according to Ministry of Interior statistics.
Caution: Drivers are required by law to use indicators at a traffic crossing or near a turning to let other motorists know what they intend to do. They must also check whether the road is clear of other vehicles and pedestrians in the direction of their turning.
Penalty: Dhs1,000 and 4 black points
[icon name=”car” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]3 Not giving pedestrians right of way at pedestrian crossings
Drivers must always be aware that pedestrians share the road with them. The UAE traffic law doesn’t allow motorists to deprive pedestrians of their right to safely cross the road at designated spaces. In 2015, fines were issued to 16,894 drivers for not giving way to pedestrians at zebra crossings.
Caution: On the road, motorists are in a stronger position than pedestrians, therefore they have to be more considerate and obey the signs. They must pause for pedestrians and respect their rights. Sharing the road was exactly the right message, said Thomas Edelmann, founder of the website RoadSafetyUAE.com, because after all, everyone was a pedestrian at some point in the day.
Penalty: Dhs500 and 6 black points
[icon name=”car” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]4 Not leaving a safe distance
In the UAE, safe distance is measured as a three-second gap between vehicles and not maintaining a gap counts as a violation. The three-second gap gives drivers enough time and distance to react to something unpredictable.
Caution: Think about what happens as a pedestrian, when you are walking close behind someone on the street, and they stop suddenly. If there’s more than just a couple of feet between you and this person, you’d notice him stopping in good time to avoid him safely.
Penalty: Dhs400 and 4 black points
