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Discuss this article (62 Comments)Majority think motorists in UAE 'drive like maniacs'
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 18 June 2009
ROAD RAGE: Lane swapping and tailgating are common on UAE roads. (Getty Images)
A majority of people think that motorists in the UAE “drive like maniacs” and are to blame for the country having some of the world’s most dangerous roads.
Health officials have urged the UAE government to tighten motoring laws after a World Health Organisation (WHO) report found people here are almost seven times more likely to be killed on the roads than those in Britain.
A spot poll by Arabian Business found that 69.7 percent of respondents agreed UAE highways were among the most hazardous in the world. They pointed the finger at other motorists who drive recklessly.
Surprisingly, 7.8 percent of people thought that roads here were among the safest.
The UAE is the worst performer in the region, with significantly more road deaths per head of population than Bahrain (12.1 per 100,000), Kuwait (16.9), Oman (21.3), Qatar (23.7), Saudi Arabia (29).
Comments left on this site were almost unanimous in agreement that bad and aggressive driving was to blame.
Sticky wrote: “I will tell you what a local acquaintance said when I asked why she didn't use her indicators when driving... her answer was "Why should I? I know where I'm going." LOL that sums it up nicely doesn't it!
Rowland said: ‘Witness the incredible total lack of lane discipline and tailgating and there you have most of the reasons for the resulting problems.
GMatths was clear on what action should be taken by governments. “The authorities should take strict action and suspend and cancel all the licenses of these idiots. Even if you are a careful driver its hell driving here,” they wrote.
Road works were blamed by 14.2 percent of respondents to the poll, while 8.3 percent blamed terrible signage.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Left hand lane
Posted by Grumpy old man, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 July 2009 at 12:25 UAE time
I cringe when I hear the left hand lane being referred to as the 'fast lane'. The right hand lane or the 'slow lane' as it is most often called is the driving lane. All lanes to the left of it are for overtaking only. All too often we see the right hand lane empty and there is no logical reason for it. It is cultural that dictates that no one wants to be seen in the 'slow lane'. On the rare occasions that I see a motorist in the 'slow lane' and then use their indicators to overtake, with almost absolute certainty the driver will have had experience driving elsewhere in the world with higher levels of proficiency and courtesy. They are called indicators because they are used to indicate to other road users what your intentions are. Bad driving is not always to blame. Bad manners play a big part. A friend commented: 'Why is everyone in such a rush? When they get to where they are going they are not going to do a lot anyway".
Posted by Grumpy old man, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 July 2009 at 12:25 UAE time
I cringe when I hear the left hand lane being referred to as the 'fast lane'. The right hand lane or the 'slow lane' as it is most often called is the driving lane. All lanes to the left of it are for overtaking only. All too often we see the right hand lane empty and there is no logical reason for it. It is cultural that dictates that no one wants to be seen in the 'slow lane'. On the rare occasions that I see a motorist in the 'slow lane' and then use their indicators to overtake, with almost absolute certainty the driver will have had experience driving elsewhere in the world with higher levels of proficiency and courtesy. They are called indicators because they are used to indicate to other road users what your intentions are. Bad driving is not always to blame. Bad manners play a big part. A friend commented: 'Why is everyone in such a rush? When they get to where they are going they are not going to do a lot anyway".
Driving in UAE
Posted by VK, Barcelona, Spain on Thursday 16 July 2009 at 20:01 UAE time
Driving in UAE is a pleasure one and only if one is a maniac. I have driven in Western Countries ( USA and Europe ) and also in Latin America , but nowhere they drive as people do in UAE.
When I used to work in UAE for an US firm 3 years back , my american colleague who was visiting me exclaimed " the people in UAE are most hospitable but behind the wheel they are totally different "
Posted by VK, Barcelona, Spain on Thursday 16 July 2009 at 20:01 UAE time
Driving in UAE is a pleasure one and only if one is a maniac. I have driven in Western Countries ( USA and Europe ) and also in Latin America , but nowhere they drive as people do in UAE.
When I used to work in UAE for an US firm 3 years back , my american colleague who was visiting me exclaimed " the people in UAE are most hospitable but behind the wheel they are totally different "
Cameras
Posted by Kevin on Monday 6 July 2009 at 11:48 UAE time
Why don't they just get cameras (as in live feed) to tackle the problems, i mean some people are forced to speed because they are intimidated by the idiot tailgating them..and if they hit (unfortunately by a local), then we all know what happens next - expat has to pay for all expenses, if it was the local's fault, am I right? or am I the only one who has faced this problem?
Posted by Kevin on Monday 6 July 2009 at 11:48 UAE time
Why don't they just get cameras (as in live feed) to tackle the problems, i mean some people are forced to speed because they are intimidated by the idiot tailgating them..and if they hit (unfortunately by a local), then we all know what happens next - expat has to pay for all expenses, if it was the local's fault, am I right? or am I the only one who has faced this problem?
cab drivers and mini buses
Posted by Zahid, Washington DC, USA on Monday 6 July 2009 at 10:06 UAE time
Not only driver's in Dubai are driving like maniac, adding to the injury cab drivers and mini bus drivers are very inconsiderate, drive crazy, no courtesy, unnecessary and constantly change the lanes, dangerously cut you on high speed.
I believe adding cameras is a good solution, we need cops on the road to monitor unsafe driving patron and instantly issue the citation. Installing more cameras are not the only solution. We need lot more patrol cars on the road.
Last we need to require businesses and Taxi companies to retrain their drivers and give them mandatory road safety education. This will help to change their attitude will save many lives, hopefully.
Posted by Zahid, Washington DC, USA on Monday 6 July 2009 at 10:06 UAE time
Not only driver's in Dubai are driving like maniac, adding to the injury cab drivers and mini bus drivers are very inconsiderate, drive crazy, no courtesy, unnecessary and constantly change the lanes, dangerously cut you on high speed.
I believe adding cameras is a good solution, we need cops on the road to monitor unsafe driving patron and instantly issue the citation. Installing more cameras are not the only solution. We need lot more patrol cars on the road.
Last we need to require businesses and Taxi companies to retrain their drivers and give them mandatory road safety education. This will help to change their attitude will save many lives, hopefully.
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