A study on road distractions in UAE by a global insurer Zurich and a road safety portal www.roadsafetyuae.com has come up with the car rating of top distractions to drivers on the emirates’ roads.
Are you affected by these issues and have you thought of how to ensure that you concentrate on the road?
Behaviour of other drivers: Taking first place at 59%, it was agreed among those interviewed that many times, a driver tends to concentrate on how others are behaving on the road and ends up taking their eyes and minds off the immediate task of being safe on the road.
Conversations with passengers in the car was second at 44%. While driving alone is not always possible, it is important to always that car safety is not always affected by others on the road but also those inside the car. Keep conversations at a minimum.
The car radio at 40% has always been a major distraction. Many people tend to react too fast when they listen to something they don’t like on the radio and is they fumble to change stations or music, they end up losing track of the task at hand – driving!
Adjusting the Air Condition affects 34% of drivers in UAE. This region is known to be hot and sometimes unbearably so. It is important to set your air conditioning at acceptable levels before starting your drive and only change if you have to before the lights are green. Don’t get distracted by the heat.
Poorly behaved children affects at least 34% of drivers. Well, not everybody has a child, but if you do, please ensure you have someone with you in the car to take care of them and ensure they are well strapped in their seats during the drive.
Other distractions that made the top ten list include complex road system at 33%, road signs at 32%, use of mobile phones at 30%, reads maps and navigation systems at 25% and reaching for objects inside the car also at 25%.
Are you affected by these distractions? Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. Take care on the road.
