Three behaviour improvements of UAE's motorists can tackle most of the top killers on the road, according to RoadSafetyUAE.

 

Coinciding with its second anniversary, Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director, announced his three wishes for UAE's road safety for this year.

 

“From various data points we collected in the last two years since we launched our road safety platform, we want to single out three behavioural changes which would dramatically improve UAE’s road safety and the human toll we pay. We want to focus on ‘Time Management’, ‘Road Etiquette & Politeness’ and ‘Fasten Seat Belts’," Edelmann stated.

 

Poor time management of UAE’s motorists often leads to ‘running late’, whereby lost time is tried to be regained while driving. This can lead to misbehaviour in the form of speeding, jumping queues and red lights, lane swerving, tailgating and bullying other traffic participants, he said.

 

“A 2015 YouGov survey revealed, that 67 per cent of UAE motorists claim ‘running late’ as being the root cause for their speeding. Hence, we have to call on motorists to start applying proper time management, for example by starting every road trip 10 minutes early. This would reduce the stress levels and the safety for the motorist, but also the safety of their passengers and those of surrounding fellow road traffic participants,” said Edelmann.

 

Many state egoistic and reckless behaviour of other road traffic participants as a main contributor to accidents and near misses. 

 

In a related YouGov study published by RoadSafetyUAE in 2015, about 53 per cent of motorists stated roads have become more dangerous, 66 per cent experienced more speeding, and 65 per cent experienced more tailgating. 

 

“Road etiquette and politeness play a pivotal role – motorists must treat others like they want to be treated, in the same respectful and polite manner! We have to care for each other and we must show this in our road behaviour. Even if we are running late or end up in other stressful situations, good manners and a caring attitude for others must prevail!” Edelmann added.

 

In the event of accidents, the best way to avoid injuries or fatalities is to use seatbelts. 

 

“About 45-60 per cent of fatalities and injuries can be prevented by the use of seatbelts, but many UAE motorists turn a blind eye to those well know facts. Our mantra must be: ‘No belt, no start!’ – for everyone in our vehicle! Even children without proper restraint systems can be observed on a daily basis, and this must change immediately!" underlined Edelmann. 

 

“We hope the very soon introduction of a holistic seat belt law in the UAE and its rigorous enforcement will provide the much needed boost for this vital change in behaviour," he concluded. - TradeArabia News Service