Be alert, don't snooze and lose at the wheel

RTA cautions motorists against drowsy driving during fasting times, initiates awareness campaign with guiding messages to motorists

Dubai - More than a third of drivers have fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point in their lives. Motorists are constantly cautioned against the risks of driving while feeling sleepy or exhausted, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan where the concentration of some drivers drops due to changes in the human body triggered by fasting.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai announced on July 7 that it is running an awareness campaign to deliver a number of messages to motorists emphasising the risks of driving while drowsy and tired.
Majority of accidents taking place during Ramadan are attributable to the lack of leaving safe distance between vehicles,? said Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency.
"The values brought by the holy month of Ramadan have to be reflected in the attitudes of humans, including compliance with traffic rules and refraining from infringing the rights of road users. For this purpose, the agency has run an awareness campaign to deliver a number of guiding messages to motorists emphasiaing the risks of driving under the effect of exhaustion," she added.
The agency has deployed awareness messages on its social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Bin Udai said this would be part of the key channels we use in communicating with the public and transmitting awareness flashes throughout Ramadan.
Indian national Ashwin Venugopal, a student living and studying in Dubai, said: "There have been days when I've tried to drive the car when I was really exhausted. But I?'ve also heard and read about accidents that have gravely injured people in Dubai because they lost control of their vehicle. So I stop the car at a petrol station and have a cup of coffee or a drink of water. I feel much better after."
"The variation between sleeping and work times during Ramadan impacts the concentration of fasting individuals which is clearly evident when employees get home. It is noticed that concentration drops to the minimum that in turn compromises the ability of the driver to take the right decision at the right time. So it is particularly important for motorists to exercise extra caution while driving from office to home to avoid traffic accidents, Maitha said.
She urged motorists to keep their air-conditioners on as the hot climate causes exhaustion and fatigue, and encouraged people stay in an upright position with the head kept high while driving.
She also advised drivers of light and heavy vehicles to take sufficient sleep before sitting behind the wheel, and park the vehicle once they feel drowsy or exhausted. She noted that having a break for a short period would help the driver complete the trip safely. Maitha also recommended motorists to stop driving when the call for Maghreb prayer is made in order to eat a light meal, or even drink a cup of water and few dates before resuming their trips.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai - Airport