Introduction
Whether you are a permanent resident or just a visitor in the UAE, it is crucial to stay alert and cautious, especially when navigating the country's main roads. Here are the most important tips to follow for safe driving in the UAE.
Maintain a Safe Distance
Statistics from the Dubai Police indicate that a significant number of fatalities from vehicle accidents in the UAE result from split-second decisions. It seems that such incidents are unavoidable, considering many local drivers often exceed the speed limit.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, even on narrow city streets where high speeds are impractical. You can apply the 3-second rule to ensure this distance. According to this rule, you should count the seconds it takes for your car to reach a point on the road that the car ahead of you has just passed.
- If it takes you less than 3 seconds to reach that point, you are too close to the car in front, and you should slow down accordingly.
- Implementing this rule will give you a better chance to avoid any accidents involving the vehicle ahead.
By providing yourself with enough time and space for the next point, you can brake or slow down properly and change lanes without endangering other drivers.
Stick to Designated Lanes
Throughout the UAE, there are fast and slow lanes, but this does not necessarily mean that many local drivers are aware of the restrictions these lanes impose.
For example, it is not common to drive at high speeds in the slow lanes, nor is it likely to find slow-moving vehicles in the fast lanes, even if all other lanes are empty.
The best approach is to:
- Use the middle lane if available.
- If you are driving under 60 km/h, it is advisable to stay in the slow lanes or move to the fast lanes when necessary.
Give Way to Pedestrians
It is always a good idea to prioritize pedestrians and allow them to cross the street. At that moment, your thoughts and those of a pedestrian might be entirely different.
Always be cautious about what may happen and give your full attention while driving.
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