Tips from road a safety expert
Alteration in our sleeping and eating patterns during the holy month of Ramadan leads to changes in our physical condition and mental attention, especially for motorists who are fasting.
This condition is called a Ramadan-specific lifestyle by road safety expert, Thomas Edelmann, who is also the managing director of RoadSafetyUAE.
“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,” he said. We have to know how the “Ramadan lifestyle” can affect our road behaviour. It is therefore important to these tips 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 MUST all drive defensively. > Plan for possible delays and add buffer time to your trip. > 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 to rush or speed. > 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 getting fatigued and get enough sleep. > Pull over immediately when you become drowsy. > Be considerate and generous to motorists who are fasting.