Top 10 driving distractions in the UAE
A third of UAE drivers get distracted whilst driving according to a new study
By Shahzad Sheikh
Over one third of UAE motorists admit to being distracted while driving. From the behaviour I regularly see on our roads, this does not surprise me at all. And as much as it pains me to say, perhaps the advent of driverless cars (see my editorial on those here) may not be such a bad thing after all!
Global insurer Zurich and RoadSafetyUAE.com have just released the findings of some joint research and it makes for rather alarming reading, especially now that the summer break is over and traffic levels are rising.
Of just over 1000 drivers surveyed, 34% admitted to concentration lapses whilst driving – particularly in the case of 18-24-year olds of which 43% confessed that their minds were not always focussed on driving!
That’s despite the fact that as many as 47% agree that not concentrating is likely to get you into an accident on the road. Hmm… actually, more worrying are the 53% who don’t realise that at all! For those people, here’s something to chew on – at 100kph, if you take your eyes off the road for just two seconds, you will have travelled 55m – a lot can happen in that time.
Here are the Top 10 driving distractions for UAE drivers
1. Behaviour of other drivers (59%)
2. Passengers speaking to you (44%)
3. Changing the radio (40%)
4. Adjusting the air conditioning (34%)
5. Poorly behaved children (34%)
6. Complex road systems (33%)
7. Road signs (32%)
8. Using a mobile phone (30%)
9. Reading maps/sat nav (25%)
10. Reaching for objects in the car (25%)
30% of motorists admit to using their phones and reading texts whilst driving – get off the phone people! More charming is the 8% that admitted to being distracted by Dubai’s skyline. Aw. Guys – pull over, get out and take a bloody picture! You can look at that at your leisure later.
When it comes to the number one cause of distractions – the behaviour of others – this was particularly true for those aged over 40 (71%).
They should all just do what I do and follow the number one rule of defensive driving techniques: assume that every other road user is a complete and utter moronic fool and adjust your pace and distance according – always expect the worst to happen and be prepared for it.
The report goes on to list how UAE drivers stay alert:
1. Driving alone (51%)
2. Listening to the radio (33%)
3. Looking out for speed cameras (29%)
4. Looking out for police cars (21%)
5. Caffeinated drinks (17%)
Whilst driving alone is not always possible, making sure you’re rested and alert before driving is crucial for your and your passengers’ safety. Take breaks on longer trips, ask another (licensed and insured) driver to take over if need be.
Listening to the radio helps, but I’m not sure that looking out for speeding cameras and police cars is necessarily a good way to maintain focus whilst driving.
It seems to imply that you are speeding or driving recklessly, if you’re that concerned about the authorities, and expending too much effort looking out for often hidden speed cameras will distract from the actual road and traffic conditions around you.
Don’t speed, drive sensibly and you don’t have to worry about speed cameras and the police and can instead focus on driving defensively and safely.
And whatever you do – don’t take a Selfie whilst driving! According to a UK survey by Ford, one in three young brits have taken a Selfie whilst driving. The mind absolutely boggles as to why would you do such a thing?
Check out our hot-weather guide for further safe driving tips here.
Stay safe people!
Tell us about the worst examples of driving you’ve seen in the comments section below
