Driving on UAE roads, even in the best of conditions, would not always be described as a safe and enjoyable experience, especially if you are mindful of the accident rate in the country – which, not surprisingly is alarming. According to the figures from the General Directorate of Traffic Coordination at the Ministry of Interior (MoI), traffic accidents for the first six months of 2009 went up to 5,026 compared to 4,506 in the same period in 2008. And while the number of fatalities saw a slight drop from January to June 2009 compared to the first half of 2008, it was still high at 496.

In our effort to get to work on time, trying to dodge the ever-increasing traffic on the roads, we often do not give ‘safety’ the importance it deserves; we fail to realise that a little negligence behind the wheel not only endangers our lives, but also that of other road users.

While it goes without saying that no matter where or when you drive, your concentration level has to be 100 per cent, driving in certain conditions – rain, fog and sandstorm - require drivers to be at their cautious best, adopting precautionary and safety measures that they do not normally consider. For instance, while driving through fog, drivers need to be aware of certain basic precautions they need to take, such as:
 

• Driving with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more.
• Reducing speed. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding.
• Maintaining a safe driving distance.
• Listening for traffic you cannot see. Travel with the driver’s window partially open and turn off the radio.
• Using wipers and defrosters as necessary, for maximum visibility.
• Not stopping on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your car stalls, turn your vehicle’s lights off and take your foot off the brake pedal. People tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog; move away from your vehicle to avoid injury.
• Avoiding use of hazard lights, except in emergency. Using hazard lights all the time prevents a motorist from alerting others to an emergency. Also, drivers can be attracted to flashing lights and could drive into them.
• Using the painted road markings as a guide. Use the right edge of the road as a guide instead of the center line; this way you will not run into oncoming traffic.
• Being patient. Do not pass lines of traffic.
• Avoiding lane changing.
• Not using your mobile phone while driving.