Dubai, United Arab Emirates — During the holy month of Ramadan, it is sad to witness hundreds of accidents and dozens of fatalities every year. Ramadan is a very special time and it is all about being with the ones close to you, which creates a lot of traffic! This festive time also brings unique challenges for all traffic participants.
RoadSafetyUAE conducted Ramadan accident surveys over the years, based on more than 6,000 auto-insurance claims data, here are the most important findings related to accidents during Ramadan:
Older motorists (40+) and male motorists are especially vulnerable
Peak accident timings are around pre-Iftar (2-5pm) and the morning rush hour from 8-10am
Tuesdays are the most dangerous days, Sundays the least dangerous
The Ramadan specific lifestyle has physical effects on our body, which can result in dehydration and low blood sugar, which in turn can affect our attentiveness, concentration, vision, and reaction. In addition to fasting, the often unusual and irregular meal timings and sleep patterns can cause fatigue, exhaustion, impatience, and distraction, which is reflected in early morning accident peaks.
Just before sunset is also a problematic time to be on the roads, because motorists tend to rush towards their Iftar appointments. This pre-iftar rush hour is a mix of psychological urges and physical needs and motorists might use this as an excuse to misbehave on the roads. Hence, all traffic participants (motorists, pedestrians, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, etc.) must be extra careful in this time, too!
Thomas Edelmann, Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE comments: “It is of utmost importance to know how the Ramadan lifestyle can affect our own behavior, as well as the behavior of other traffic participants! We want to provide UAE’s motorists with 5 vital ‘Tips & Tricks’:
Be aware of your own limitations!
Watch out for other traffic participants potentially under the same limitations.
Expect the unexpected – we all MUST drive defensively!
Plan your schedule properly and leave early to avoid the need of rushing and speeding.
Always wear your seat belt – Ramadan is a good time to start this habit!”
“Motorists must realize, that even if they arrive late for a Ramadan event, people will understand. Good time management is crucial and motorists are urged to leave early enough and allow for a time buffer to reach their destination on time. We need to display a caring attitude for ourselves and for others in this very special period!”, Edelmann concludes.
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