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29 March 2024

Driving while fasting? Keep this in mind...

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By Staff

Concentration levels drop in some drivers due to body changes as a result of fasting. Exhaustion and drowsiness may be the result and become visible when drivers head home after a day of work, warned Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The RTA cautioned motorists against the risks of driving when feeling exhausted or drowsy particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

“The noble values of the holy month of Ramadan have to have impact on the attitudes of individuals, including compliance with the traffic rules and avoiding encroachment on the rights of road users,” said Maitha bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA.

“The difference between the sleeping and working times during Ramadan impact the concentration of fasting motorists; which is clearly reflected when employees head back home, and they undergo minimal concentration. This impairs the ability of the driver to take proper decisions at the proper time. Thus more caution and attention is needed when driving from the place of work to home to avoid traffic accidents,” she noted.

She elaborated that most accidents during Ramadan are attributed to the lack of allowing a safe distance between vehicles. Motorists are therefore urged to leave a sufficient distance between vehicles.

Further, drivers should ensure to have effective air-conditioning as the hot weather also causes fatigue and exhaustion, she tipped.  Moreover, the driver has to keep his or her back in an upright position with the head up during driving,” added Maitha.

She called upon drivers of light and heavy vehicles to take sufficient rest before driving, and park once they feel exhausted or drowsy or when they are yawning. A short rest will help the driver to complete the trip safely, she noted.

She also called on motorists to park aside when they hear the call for Maghreb prayer, and take a light breakfast, even if a cup of water and few dates, before resuming their journey.

An awareness campaign to communicate a number of guidance messages to motorists highlighting the risks of driving under exhaustion will be held by the RTA over the following weeks, with social media networks among the core channels.

[Image via Shutterstock]