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UAE: 45% residents want to learn defensive driving, 80% prioritise safety, finds survey
The survey also revealed a strong interest in automotive safety education in the region, with nearly half of respondents — 61% of them Gen Z — having already participated in safety training
- PUBLISHED: Wed 5 Mar 2025, 7:28 PM
There is a growing demand for automotive safety education in the UAE, with 45 per cent of residents interested in learning defensive driving, according to a new survey, which also says that the trend is seen especially among GenZ.
The survey further reveals that 80 per cent of car buyers in the Middle East region prioritise vehicle safety and accessibility while purchasing a vehicle, with half of the respondents wishing to see more accessibility features added to new vehicles.
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The research, conducted in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt in collaboration with SEDRA Foundation and YouGov, sheds light on shifting trends in vehicle ownership, consumer priorities, and expectations.
The YouGov survey also reveals a strong interest in automotive safety education, with nearly half of respondents having already participated in safety training, and 61 per cent being GenZ.
‘Want the skills to anticipate danger’
A further 45 per cent expressed interest in learning defensive driving techniques, hazard avoidance, and other safety measures.
Jad Azar, a 36-year-old Lebanese expat who has been driving in the UAE for 12 years now, said, “I want to learn defensive driving not just to protect myself, but to safeguard my family and others on the road. Every day, I see reckless drivers, sudden lane changes, and unexpected road hazards that could lead to accidents in the blink of an eye. I don’t want to rely on luck to stay safe — I want the skills to anticipate dangers, react calmly, and make split-second decisions that could save lives. Driving isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about ensuring that everyone in my car and around me gets there safely, every single time.”
Defensive driving is a set of skills and techniques that help drivers anticipate and react to potential hazards on the road, reducing the risk of accidents. It involves staying alert, maintaining a safe following distance, following traffic rules, and being prepared for unexpected actions by other drivers, pedestrians, or road conditions.
Similarly, Indian expat in Dubai Sameer Siddiqui explained how he feels that the traffic has worsened over the years with people increasingly becoming impatient.
While many parts of the world experienced up to a 4 per cent rise in registered vehicles over the past two years, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority reported a 10 per cent increase in the city's vehicle count.
Siddiqui said, “In my opinion, reckless driving has been on the rise. I often witness drivers abruptly switching from the extreme left to the right, and many are so impatient while changing lanes that there’s barely a few inches of space between vehicles before they merge. Additionally, in some areas, pedestrians suddenly cross the road without using zebra crossing. If I'm driving at 80 or 100 km/h, it becomes challenging to apply brakes suddenly in such situations. Therefore, knowing or learning techniques that help drivers anticipate and respond effectively to potential road hazards is becoming important.”
Safety, accessibility features important for vehicle buyers
The survey showed while safety is the top priority, with 89 per cent of respondents considering it the most important factor when choosing a vehicle, affordability comes next at 86 per cent, followed by aesthetics at 83 per cent.
Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director at General Motors, said, “We are proud to lead the charge in making vehicles more accessible for everyone as we further transform the customer’s experience from research to purchase. Our collaboration with SEDRA Foundation is just one example of how we are working to build a more inclusive future, ensuring our vehicles are suited for all, including those with differential abilities, as well as the elderly and people of determination.”
Additionally, accessibility features such as power-adjustable seats, swivel seats, and blind-spot monitoring are also gaining significant attention while choosing vehicles.
Reem Al Fahim, CEO of SEDRA Foundation, said, “We provide comprehensive guidance to ensure inclusivity across all areas, be it in the built and digital environment is accessible or facilitating equitable spaces to enable research and development in this domain.”
Meanwhile, Ahmed Al Khzaimy, Director of Traffic at the Traffic and Roads Agency, recently said, “RTA continues to implement development projects aimed at enhancing Dubai’s Road network and ensuring the highest levels of safety and smooth traffic flow for road users. All these efforts support RTA’s vision of being ‘The World Leader in Seamless and Sustainable Mobility.”
