Staying safe on Dubai roads during the summer is always a challenge, especially if Ramadan is also during the summer, as is the case this year. Extremely high temperatures and driving on an empty stomach do not make a good combination. In the rush to reach home in time to break the fast, many people become impatient at traffic signals and at what they consider to be the rash behavior of others on the road.
Studies have proved that faster can affect the cognitive functioning, and thus can impair the concentration required to drive safely. There are two ways in which this has an impact on driving: it affects our ability to react quickly (reaction time) and it also affects our spatial perception (our perception about objects in our vicinity). Fasting also leads to decrease in concentration and fatigue and this can cause motorists to miss road signs, exhibit lack of lane discipline and generally make mistakes leading to accidents.
Here are a few tips you can follow to ensure that you and other motorists stay safe on the roads this summer:
- Prepare well for the summer: Make sure that your vehicle is in the best possible condition to face the summer heat with proactive maintenance. A comprehensive check of the AC system o ensure that you and your passengers are always cool, proper window tinting to let in as little heat as possible and checking the tire air pressure and tread depth will go a long way towards increasing your safety and comfort on the roads. Having a breakdown and waiting for help to arrive in the torrid heat is no joke.
- Check Your Lights: During Ramadan, you might do a lot more driving during the night than usual. Make sure all your lights including the headlights, taillights, and signal lights are clean and working properly. Thoroughly clean your windows to remove dust that could impair your visibility.
- Stay Calm: Over 90 per cent of accidents are caused due to human error. In many cases, the manner in which we react to other people’s aggressive driving leads to accidents. We cannot control the way in which others drive, but we can control the way in which we react to it by staying calm. Dubai is a place with a diverse mix of nationalities, and all motorists on the road may not follow what we consider to the correct rules. However, we can maximize our own and others’ safety by avoiding unsafe driving practices, like tailgating, failing to maintain safe distance and unnecessary overtaking whether it is on local roads or on highways like Emirates Road or Mohammad Bin Zayed Road. There may be a lot of people with road rage out there but you are not going to be one of them. An angry person is dangerous, but when an angry gets behind the wheel, he is a menace to himself and to others. His car turns into a lethal weapon in his hands.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination: Many driving errors occur when we are in a hurry. Plan your day well so that you reach home or meetings well on time and you do not speed when driving. Speeding has been cited as one of the top five causes of accidents in the UAE, so make sure that you stay well within the speed limits when you drive. Arriving a few minutes late is preferable to being involved in an accident and causing harm or inconvenience to yourself and to others.
- Ensure you get Enough Sleep: During Ramadan, ensure that you get enough sleep and refrain from staying up too late. The unusual sleeping patterns during this period can lead to exhaustion at the wheel. Exhausted people make mistakes and this can cause accidents. If by any chance you feel sleepy, immediately pull over. A power nap can make a significant difference and refresh you before you continue on your journey.
- Eat Light Meals: Fasting can lead to low sugar levels and dehydration. Eat light meals for suhoor and iftar and drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated. Heavy, spicy food can cause physical discomfort and add to a sense of discomfort.
- Practise Defensive Driving: Always be prepared for the unexpected on the road, especially around the time of iftar when everyone is in a rush. Leave significant space between vehicles and obey all the traffic rules. Remain alert and focus on the road. What out for other drivers and drive accordingly.
- Use Public Transport: As far as possible, use public transport or carpooling, to reduce the traffic on the roads and to minimize fatigue while fasting. It may take a little while longer, but with less traffic on the roads, everyone is a little safer.
