Most people think that they are good drivers. They would say that they have never been responsible for any road accident nor they have been a part of any.
While it is good that you follow all the road rules and drive carefully, it is possible that you might have developed some bad driving habits over time and you have never noticed them.
It’s always good to keep your driving habits in check. While not all of these habits lead to accidents, they certainly lead to traffic violations. Drivers have a responsibility towards their passengers, themselves and other drivers on the road.
It is important to be aware of these 5 risky driving practices that can cause accidents in the United Arab Emirates, where traffic conditions can be hectic and demanding.
Dangerous driving habits to break Right Now!
1. Speeding
On UAE roads, speeding is one of the most common culprits behind accidents, and that too some serious ones. Respect the particular speed limits established by the UAE government. This is the least you could do in terms of road safety.
For instance, the speed limit on a highway varies between 100 and 140 km/h whereas the speed limit could be as low as 40 or 60 km/h when cruising around a residential area.
One should never underestimate the risks that come with speeding. When cars move at a relatively higher speed, they are much more likely to crash into other vehicles on the road. Moreover, you don’t get enough time to react to unforeseen circumstances on the road.
These crashes cause serious injuries and at times, can be fatal as well. So, make sure you always abide by the speed restrictions when driving.
It’s really risky to tailgate while driving fast. Your fast-moving vehicle won’t let you brake in time if the car in front of you breaks unexpectedly. Tailgating-related collisions typically cause significant auto damage as well as human injuries.
2. Distracted driving
Distractions during driving can be as little as eating, talking on your phone or changing the channel on the radio. But these little seemingly harmless activities can prove to be extremely dangerous. There are laws against distracted driving in the UAE.
If you get caught talking on the phone or any other distracting activity while driving, it will lead to penalties or it may cost you some points on your driving record.
Distractions takes your focus away from the road,
Distractions take focus away from driving, slowing reaction times and increases the risk of crash. Therefore, it is critical to know the possible dangers of distracted driving and to place a high priority on maintaining attention on the task at hand, which is driving safely.
3. Aggressive driving and road rage
People tend to have less patience for no apparent reason when driving, and this seems to be a typical occurrence. Aggressive driving, or road rage, puts other people as well as yourself in danger.
Numerous factors on our roadways might incite violent behaviors, as any motorist is aware. These behaviors can show themselves as blaring the horn, yelling or pointing at other cars, or engaging in other more harmful activities. Maintaining composure behind the wheel is vital for everyone’s safety on the road, as agitated driving can result in reckless actions.
4. Driving under the influence (DUI)
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is outlawed in the United Arab Emirates. The nation has harsh rules and punishments in place to discourage people from participating in this risky activity. Judgment, coordination, and reaction times are all severely hampered when driving under the influence; these skills are essential for safe driving.
Many accidents are caused by impaired driving, and these incidents frequently end in serious injuries or fatalities. Campaigns and initiatives to prevent DUI, like stepped-up police presence and awareness campaigns, try to instill a culture of safer driving. To safeguard oneself and other drivers on the road, it is crucial to comprehend the risks connected to driving while intoxicated and to make appropriate decisions.
5. Not respecting weather conditions
It’s no secret that bad weather makes driving more difficult, but a lot of us are guilty of not changing our routines accordingly. We are all too accustomed with the rain in Ireland. This can significantly diminish traction on the roadways, together with other elements like snow and ice, which can lead to a loss of control and steering abilities. This kind of situation might make even braking dangerous.
In order to have better control over their driving, drivers should drastically slow down, give themselves more space from the car in front of them, and even drive in lower gears. Generally speaking, poor weather reduces visibility. In low light conditions, your car’s lights become a vital component. See our advice on how to use your lights properly.
Should you drive when you are tired?
It is very risky to drive when fatigued since it affects your concentration and reaction time. Fatigue impairs cognitive abilities and decelerates reflexes, hence elevating the likelihood of mishaps. According to studies, driving when sleepy is similar to operating a vehicle while intoxicated. When driving while fatigued, one’s level of alertness declines, which increases the risk of making incorrect decisions and nodding off. It’s critical to put safety first and refrain from driving while tired.
If you’re feeling cranky, stop and have a nap or find another way to get where you’re going. Making sleep a priority protects not just your health but also the safety of other drivers.
Vehicle maintenance reduces accidents
Vehicle maintenance is important to reduce the risk of accidents on roads. Routine car maintenance makes sure that the vital parts such as brakes, headlights and tyres are working properly and there’s no sign of damage. Driving with damaged car parts can lead to fines and penalties.
You don’t have to take your car to the service center for routine maintenance. You can check the tyres, lights and signals all by yourself. It will contribute to your own safety as well as the safety of other drivers and passengers on roads.
Pay attention to pedestrian and cyclist safety
Driving safely involves being mindful of fellow road users, such as cyclists and walkers. In spots like school zones or neighborhoods, where there are folks who might need extra care, it’s super essential to pay extra attention. You gotta slow down, keep an eye out for crosswalks, and give bike riders enough space when you pass them.
- Always keep an eye out for pedestrians wherever you go.
- When driving in poor visibility situations, such as at night or during inclement weather, exercise extra caution.
- When entering a crosswalk, whether by turning or otherwise, go cautiously and be ready to stop.
- When crossing a street, yield to pedestrians and stop far enough out from the crosswalk to allow other cars time to see the pedestrians and stop as well.
- Never drive by a car that is stopped at a crosswalk. Where you cannot see, there can be people crossing.
- Never operate a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
- Observe the posted speed limit, particularly when driving near pedestrians, in school zones, and in residential areas with kids.
- When backing up, use extra caution and keep an eye out for pedestrians.
Public transportation alternatives to consider
Using public transportation is not only good for the environment but it can also improve traffic congestion. UAE’s well-developed public transit system gives you a lot of convenient options including buses, metros and trams. This will reduce the quantity of private vehicles on roads reducing the risk of accidents.
In additions to reducing traffic, using public transports will help you cope up with the stress that comes with driving. When you’re not the one behind the wheel, it can make for a good and pleasant driving experience. Also, when you’re tired or unwell, don’t risk driving by yourself. Instead, take a public transport to get your destination safely.
Wrap Up: 5 Dangerous Driving Habits That You Should Avoid
In a nutshell, being all about those safe driving things is super important for keeping yourself and other folks on the road safe. When you steer clear of things like going too fast, tailgating, and driving all mad-like, you can cut down big time on the chance of having a bit of a crash. And don’t forget, never hit the road when you’re feeling all tired and sleepy.
We can totally make the driving scene in the UAE better for everyone by just doing what this article says about being safe. Let’s make safety our main squeeze and make our roads all nice and tidy.
Chuck out those not-so-great driving tricks and pick up some good ones ASAP if you wanna be a better driver and keep yourself safe when you’re driving. But honestly, the key is just keeping things the same. Once you’re sure you’re doing the best driving things, driving gets way more chill.
