LEADERS EXCHANGE RAMADAN GREETINGS
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at a reception held on Sunday at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi where Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates exchanged Ramadan greetings. —
The Ramadan-specific lifestyle has physical effects on our body — especially when it coincides with the hot summer season like this year.
“Fasting can result in dehydration and low blood sugar, which in turn can limit our attentiveness, concentration, vision and reaction. In addition to fasting, the unusual eating and sleeping patterns can cause fatigue, exhaustion, impatience and distraction,” Thomas Edelmann, managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, observes.
It is therefore of utmost importance to know how the “Ramadan lifestyle” can affect our road behavior, as well as the performance of other motorists. Here are some tips from RoadSafetyUAE to keep our roads safe this Ramadan: > Be aware of your own potential limitations. > Watch out for other traffic participants potentially under the same effects. > Expect the unexpected — we all MUST drive defensively. > Plan for possible delays and add buffer time. > Always wear your seat belt — Ramadan is a good time to finally start this habit. > Motorists should try to anticipate sudden movements by others, including cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. > Approach signals carefully at Iftar time — even when the light is green — and don’t jump red lights. > Keep a sufficient distance between their vehicle and don’t tailgate. > Plan your schedules properly and leave early to avoid the need of rushing and speeding. > You can run a little bit late — people will understand. > Around sunset prior to Iftar, be very cautious! > Stay off the roads at sundown, if you can avoid it. > Avoid fatigue and get enough sleep. > Pull over immediately when you becoming drowsy. > Be considerate and generous to motorists who are fasting.