A heavy downpour was recorded in Dubai on November 26, 2018, which disrupted the traffic and transport system considerably. A number of dangerous road accidents were recorded across the emirate as waterlogged roads during rainfall and slippery road conditions afterwards made commuting a serious challenge. Despite the readiness and preparation of authorities to deal with such challenging weather conditions, the road safety situation remained under a serious threat, mainly because of the dangerous driving mistakes committed by motorists.
While driving in heavy rains is not easy by any means, a defensive driving approach and awareness about safe driving practices can potentially eliminate the risk of a fatal road accident. Authorities have urged motorists to follow traffic rules and remain calm to maneuver their vehicles safely in heavy rainfall.
#TrafficUpdate | 07:06
We request the motorist to drive carefully and safely due to a rain on some internal and external parts of #Dubai.
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) November 26, 2018
Traffic Report on Recent Heavy Downpour in Dubai
According to Dubai Police, as many as 147 road accidents were recorded in Dubai during last week’s heavy rainfall on Monday that lasted for almost four hours. During this time, the Command and Control unit of Dubai Police recorded 2,566 emergency calls, which highlighted the vulnerable state of road safety in the emirate. A number of dangerous road situations were caused by motorists who made serious driving mistakes and violated traffic rules. Tailgating, sudden swerving and over-speeding were identified as the major reasons behind dangerous road accidents recorded during heavy rainfall.
Despite an overall improvement in the road safety situation this year, the reckless driving behavior of motorists still remains a major concern for authorities. In 2017, 1,400 road accidents were recorded in Dubai during two days of heavy rainfall in March. Then later, on December 17, 2017, as many as 581 road accidents were recorded due to torrential rain. The situation was no different this year as 147 road accidents were recorded in just four hours of heavy rainfall.
#News | 147 #traffic accidents reported in #Dubai as rainy weather rages
Details:https://t.co/Zmg1PCz3oE#DubaiPolice#YourSecurityOurHappiness #SmartSecureTogether pic.twitter.com/d9wsgRWkxv
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) November 26, 2018
Also read: Safe Practices for Driving in the UAE’s Bad Weather
What Can Motorists Learn from Recent Rains?
Heavy rainfall can make driving extremely challenging and this is the major reason why motorists should be aware of safety practices to follow when driving in such weather conditions. The alarming increase in road accidents in just a few hours of heavy downpour in Dubai is a serious concern for authorities, yet it provides an opportunity for motorists to learn from their mistakes and adopt safe driving practices the next time they have to drive in such weather conditions.
Listed below are some of the key observations from recent heavy rains that can help motorists learn and improve on their driving approach.
Not Leaving Safe Distance between Vehicles is Dangerous
Not leaving safe distance between vehicles or tailgating resulted in many dangerous accidents and was one of the most frequently committed traffic violations during recent heavy rains. Tailgating can potentially result in a serious road accident during heavy rainfall and should be avoided at all costs.
Not Using Indicators while Changing Lanes Can Result in Dangerous Accidents
Changing lanes without using indicators was also identified as a major reason behind road accidents recorded during recent torrential rain. It is another dangerous traffic violation that can threaten the road safety of commuters and must be avoided, irrespective of the weather conditions. Using indicators while changing lanes can allow other drivers to react timely in slippery road conditions caused by heavy rainfall, which can help avoid dangerous road accidents.
Also read: Motorists to Face Hefty Traffic Penalties for Taking Pictures of Rain While Driving
Reducing Speed is Essential in Heavy Rain
A large number of dangerous road accidents in the recent heavy rain were caused by drivers who didn’t reduce the speed of their vehicles in wet road conditions. Motorists should drive at least 40-50 Km/h slower than their usual speed when driving in heavy rains to maneuver their vehicles safely on waterlogged roads and in slippery road conditions.
Dear drivers, reduce speed during heavy rain to avoid any hydroplaning.#Weather#YourSecurityOurHappiness#SmartSecureTogether pic.twitter.com/P2gCxWEsIM
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) November 26, 2018
Allowing Extra Time for a Journey is Important
It is ideal not to drive at all when heavy rains are in the forecast. However, if you cannot avoid driving, it is important to allow yourself some extra time to reach your destination. You will need to drive slowly in wet road conditions, thus leaving half an hour early can be ideal to reach your destination on time. Such an approach can help you maintain your calmness while driving, which can be useful in avoiding dangerous road accidents in heavy rains.
Checking Your Planned Route before Travelling Can help Avoid Traffic Congestions
Many roads were blocked in Dubai during heavy rains due to road accidents and traffic congestions. Motorists who didn’t check their planned route before setting off got stuck in traffic jams, which added to their commuting challenges in heavy rain. This is something that motorists can easily avoid by checking their route through Google Maps before setting off. It can be ideal to delay a journey to avoid getting stuck in a frustrating traffic congestion.
Bottom-line
Traffic authorities have doubled their efforts to maintain road safety situation under any weather condition. Authorities have emphasized the importance of not committing dangerous driving mistakes that can potentially have fatal consequences in bad weather conditions. It is now important for motorists to learn from their mistakes and adopt a safe driving approach whenever they have to drive in challenging weather conditions.
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