ABU DHABI // Motorists should be patient and considerate towards other road users during Ramadan when incidents of road rage and reckless behaviour are more common from tired and hungry drivers.
Stick to your lane and avoid making hand gestures toward other motorists as this will inevitably cause an angry reaction, said Robert Hodges, a UK-based driver education and road safety expert.
“Road rage is never acceptable and can be very dangerous. Try to drive carefully so as not to upset other road users, avoid becoming annoyed if you feel someone else has annoyed you or infringed on your road space. Be the bigger person and make space for other vehicles and drivers,” said Mr Hodges, a former chief operating officer at Emirates Driving Institute in Dubai.
“Avoid eye-contact with ‘aggrieved’ drivers, as this will help prevent the escalation of aggressive emotions from growing.”
Avoidance is key, said Simon Labbett, project director at Sheida, an Omani road safety body, as you can often spot poorly behaving drivers far in advance of there being an incident.
“Keep yourself and your vehicle away from potential confrontation. If you do get involved don’t engage, keep out of the way and move to another area of the road,” he said. “Avoid any additional actions that may raise the tension in the situation.”
All motorists should be kind and courteous to each other, especially so during Ramadan, Mr Hodges said.
“We all have to get along together,” he said. “In one of my defensive driver training courses I encourage delegates to find some other motorist whom they can ‘smack’. This makes people smile, and to seek opportunities to do something helpful while driving – a Small Act of Courtesy or Kindness.”
Like drivers, pedestrians who are fasting will also suffer from dehydration and low blood sugar levels and will be trying to hurry across roads because of the heat.
“They will not be able to make good, sensible decisions regarding crossing the road and will have difficulty in judging the speed of approaching vehicles,” Mr Hodges said. “All vehicle drivers should allow more time and space when being near pedestrians.”
In Abu Dhabi, there were 51 serious road accidents resulting in six deaths during the last 10 days of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday last year. Dubai Police received 2,419 traffic reports and recorded 250 incidents during five hours on the first day of Ramadan.
“Instead of rushing home for Iftar, people can wait until the prayer is called and then have a drink and some light food such as dates before starting to drive home for family time,” Mr Hodges said
This would help improve concentration, lower low blood sugar torpor and create a safer driver.
He also advised people to consider car-pooling during Ramadan to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Motorcycle delivery drivers are being reminded to stick to the law and not engage in risky behaviour such as speeding and swerving between lanes while trying to deliver food to customers who are breaking their fast, said Ride Safe UAE founder Brian Cartwright.
“Our message for the riders is to ride predictably, don’t zigzag like crazy between lanes. Instead, check your mirrors, indicate and then have a quick look to the side you are moving to check all is clear before changing direction.”
Motorcycle delivery riders may be under pressure to deliver food, but they need to remember they are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users and will not save much time by failing to comply with the traffic rules, Mr Labbett said.
“Arriving with a successful delivery is important,” he said. “Rushing will raise the level of likelihood in being involved in an accident. An accident and no delivery, then no one is happy. Ride to arrive.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
