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Bad driving habits on the streets of the UAE

By guest columnist, Mark Montecillo, Operations / Marketing Manager, KTM Middle East

Every time I get behind the wheel of my car and drive to wherever I need to go, it never ceases to amaze me on just how many bad driving habits I encounter. In the UAE, where driver training and courses are second to none, I often wonder how a majority of drivers ever got their licenses.

For most of the driving public, me included, we had to go through mandatory driver courses and training before getting a license to drive. Yet, despite all the information passed along to us, most of the drivers I encounter on the road clearly do not deserve the right to control a 2,500 lbs. or (heavier) road going projectile.

The illusive indictors

For whatever reason, this device which comes standard on all street legal vehicles – turn signal indicators – is something that is seldom used by drivers. It is mandatory to use this device when turning a corner or changing lanes. It is even required when backing up from a parking space.

The idea is that by making use of this simple yet extremely effective device, other drivers will be informed about the coming actions of the car ahead. This is important information for the cars behind so the drivers of these vehicles will know what to expect and can act accordingly.

Yet, despite all the training, seminars and tests that a driver has to endure prior to getting a drivers license, once that card is issued, all that valuable knowledge is tossed out the car window. If a turn is to be done or a lane change executed, the indicators remain unused. The resultant surprise to the drivers behind is always ignored and the offending driver continues on his/her merry way. Never mind near misses or close calls– no impact, no foul, right??

Hazardous harzard lights

Amazingly, probably the most used indicator in a car driven in the UAE are the hazard lights. I’ve been all over the world and I have never experienced seeing such rampant use of hazard lights anywhere else.

Every little situation that may occur up ahead, and the hazard lights go on! A car may have slowed down slightly, a cat crossed the road, a pretty lady in a skirt was walking by– it doesn’t seem to matter what it may be – the hazard lights must come on. And the uncanny reaction times for activating those lights is simple incredible.

Funny thing is, those that use the hazards often are the very same drivers that can’t seem to find the indicators.

Extremely late braking

I don’t really know what the rush is but most UAE drivers don’t seem to want to use their brakes early enough. A 30 kph corner is quickly approaching and the accelerator pedal is still buried in to the firewall carpet. Then at the last possible moment, as if the driver was surprised – BAM, the brakes are applied!

Another scenario is speeding down the side street driving like Fernando Alonso on a qualifying lap at Monaco, when suddenly, a car parked on the side decides to pull out of its space (indicators not used, of course).

Instead of applying the brakes to slow down, most drivers will simply weave in to the next lane (again, indicators not used) to avoid the impending obstacle.

Never mind that there are other cars in the next lane, the manoeuvre happens regardless of the situation. And the first device that should have been used is completely ignored until the driver realizes he needs to stop at the traffic light ahead..

I used to think drivers were purposely not using their brakes to save on the wear and tear of the brake pads and rotors. But, when they do decide to use them, they are applied with such abrupt force that belies scarce use in the first place. So that theory doesn’t really fly. One thing is for sure, the brake parts and service industry must be booming thanks to these drivers.

Cadence throttle

As if marching to a beat, holding a steady throttle doesn’t seem to make any sense to most drivers.

Maintaining a certain speed seems to require heavy throttle inputs, both on and off. Step on it heavy, you go too fast so you need to abruptly release to slow down. And this vicious circle continues in a hurl-inducing manner.

Drivers of public transportation are the biggest proponent to this technique, it seems. Maybe barf bags should be standard equipment in taxi cabs. I know I’ve been sick in many taxi rides I’ve had in the past.

Time to stop… Now!

Getting lost in the UAE is a normal aspect of driving. Especially here in Dubai, where the roads are constantly changing and any logic in naming, numbering or even planning roads is non-existent, finding your way around is a challenge to say the least.

So, when a driver is lost and they find their destination, their instinct is to stop… Immediately… Right now!

Never mind that there are other cars behind them or it’s the middle of a corner, stopping right away is imperative.

Now and then they try to appease you by using their hazard lights but often, they don’t even bother. These drivers would rather risk having a fender bender than to miss their destination. Public transport drivers (taxis) are more often the offenders but not limited to them. Pretty much any numb nut behind the wheel is a possible candidate.

Stop light drags

For some innate reason, when queued at a traffic light, drivers are seemingly possessed by Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme and Tom ‘The Mongoose’ McEwen. The traffic light turns in to a Christmas tree found on NHRA tracks and each car is staged for launch. Even those two to three cars behind the front row honk their horns the very second the light burns green.

Again, incredible reaction times are at play here. It doesn’t seem to matter what vehicle is being driven. They’re all dragsters once at a traffic light. And once the race is on, there will always be an “un-signaled” lane change followed by hazard lights flashing.

Thy neck be rubber

What is it about rubber-necking here in the UAE?? I just don’t get it! Why do motorists HAVE to slow down so much just to see a car that’s stopped on the shoulder of the road?

How many times have you been in bumper to bumper traffic for 30 minutes or more only to have the traffic disappear and there is no sign of any reason for the slow down in the first place?

Sure, I concede that sometimes there is a big accident and the traffic slow down is warranted. But then again, if there are two to three lanes open, why do people have to practically stop and stare at the carnage? Often times, these multiple car pile ups are a result of rubber necking.

What started as a fender bender between two cars ends up with 5 more vehicles involved because some jerk-off decides to actually use his brakes (abruptly, no less) to get a better look at what was happening.

Sadly the hazard lights went unnoticed as the tailgater behind failed to react quickly enough to the sudden deceleration of the car in front… And so on and so forth…

Tailgate party

See last sentence above.

Car crazy UAE

There is no doubt that the UAE is home to plenty of car crazy individuals. Where else can you find so many exotic cars in one place. So much so, they are no longer exotic– They are common place.

Appreciation of the automobile, unfortunately, isn’t the only type of “crazy” here. Despite the fact that the majority of the driving population pilot normal vehicles (but they think they are in race cars on a race track), there are far too many drivers that just shouldn’t be allowed to drive.

Their driving habits are horrid and they are responsible for the numerous accidents that occur on a daily basis. I’ve only touched on a few of the bad habits that any motorist will encounter on the roads of the UAE. There are more… Oh, sadly, plenty more. It really is car crazy around here.

If you are on the road behind the wheel of a vehicle, you best be on the look out and drive defensively. Good luck!

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In the comments section below, let us know what your pet hates are when it comes to drive in the region!