Defensive driving refers to a careful driving approach that can help in avoiding dangerous road accidents safely. According to a study conducted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, human error is the fundamental reason behind more than 80% of road accidents recorded in the UAE. These figures clearly suggest that more than 80% of the road accidents could have been avoided with a defensive and careful driving approach. Motorists should always follow traffic rules and keep the fundamentals of defensive driving in mind to avoid dangerous road situations.
Here are the fundamentals of defensive driving that every driver should know and follow in the UAE.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Maintaining a vehicle regularly is one of the most important aspects of a defensive driving approach. A mechanically fit vehicle can potentially eliminate the risk of a dangerous road accident induced by a sudden mechanical failure or tyre blowout. One should schedule the maintenance checkups of a vehicle according to the instructions mentioned in the car owner’s manual. Additionally, the tyre pressure, car lights and turn signals should be checked before driving in low visibility conditions such as foggy weather, heavy rain and sandstorm amongst others.
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Maintain a Safe Distance from the Vehicle Ahead while Driving
According to official data of traffic accidents, tailgating or not leaving safe distance between vehicles is one of the top reasons behind fatal road accidents reported across the UAE. It is recommended that one should leave a stopping distance of at least two seconds from the vehicle ahead to avoid a rear end crash. This gap should be increased to 3 seconds when driving on highways and 4 to 5 seconds when driving in bad weather conditions.
— شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) November 11, 2018
Also read: Safe Practices for Driving in the UAE’s Bad Weather
How to Use the Seconds Rule?
You need to keep an eye on the vehicle ahead as it passes through a signal or a signboard on the road and count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three. It takes almost three seconds to count like this and while doing so, if you pass through the same signal or signboard, it suggests that you are driving too close to the vehicle ahead. In such a situation, you should reduce your speed and focus on maintaining a safe distance according to road and weather conditions.
Stay Alert While Driving
Driving is a safe and straightforward job until you make it complicated and unsafe by committing dangerous driving mistakes. It is important to maintain 100% attention on the road to proactively respond in an emergency situation. One should be able to apply brakes immediately if the driver of the vehicle ahead applies emergency brakes. Motorists should also keep an eye out for stray animals to avoid a collision that can have dangerous consequences. A driver can only avoid such dangerous situations by being attentive at all times.
Excessive speed and road distractions are associated with serious accidents. So stay alert and drive carefully!#YourSecurityOurHappiness#SmartSecureTogether #DubaiPolice#DPAwareness pic.twitter.com/KQLOFnIwUP
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) August 5, 2018
Also read: 6 Important Tips to Pass the Driving Test in Dubai
Maintain a Suitable Driving Position
One should maintain an upright driving position with both hands on the steering wheel to make sudden avoidance maneuvers safely and timely. Maintaining a suitable driving position is an important part of defensive driving as it can help avoid sudden loss of control over a vehicle in an emergency situation. The suitable driving position can be adjusted according to one’s height and available legroom and headroom in a vehicle.
Follow Traffic Rules
Reckless driving behavior and violating traffic rules are amongst the major reasons behind fatal road accidents in the UAE. Traffic rules are designed to minimize potential road safety risks for commuters and to regulate the smooth flow of traffic. Motorists can avoid dangerous road accidents by simply following traffic rules.
Listed below are the major traffic violations that can lead to fatal road accidents:
- Tailgating or not leaving a safe distance between vehicles
- Over-speeding
- Sudden swerving
- Jumping the red signal
- Obstructing traffic
- Driving on a hard shoulder
- Overtaking from right side
All of these traffic violations have been identified as the major reasons behind dangerous road accidents in the UAE. Motorists will have to face serious penalties for committing these dangerous traffic violations on the UAE roads.
Traffic offenders will have to pay hefty fines while black points will be issued against their driving licenses for committing traffic violations. The vehicles involved in traffic violations can also be confiscated while motorists can be detained and prosecuted according to the UAE’s traffic law for committing dangerous violations.
Drive Safe Motorists!
A defensive driving approach can help motorists avoid dangerous road accidents in the UAE. The road safety situation is improving in the country, thanks to the tireless efforts of traffic authorities, however, reckless driving behavior of motorists is still a big road safety concern. The traffic problems of the UAE can be reduced to a bare minimum if motorists develop a careful driving mindset and adopt a defensive driving approach.
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