Dubai: Motorists heading back home on the first working day of Ramadan are facing longer than usual delays.
Heavy traffic could be seen particularly on all highways connecting Dubai with Sharjah as well as on roads leading to Bur Dubai and Deira as residents are still coming to terms with the change in working hours for Ramadan.
Several cases of accidents have also been reported, forcing authorities to issue advisories on safe driving while fasting.
Exhaustion, lack of sleep and urgency to reach home combine to cause higher rate of accidents during Ramadan, usually during evening peak hours.
The rate of accidents are usually higher during the first few days of Ramadan, when people are still struggling to adjust to the change in routines.
On Sunday, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) sent awareness messages to motorists urging them to avoid driving while feeling exhausted or sleepy.
Cautioning motorists against driving under circumstances that raise the chances of causing accidents Maitha Bin Adai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said, “Motorists have to appreciate the risks associated with driving while the driver is exhausted and distracted. Poor concentration, inattentiveness and tiredness raise the likelihood of causing crashes.”
She advised the motorists to be extra careful particularly during Ramadan, which calls on believers to be considerate towards others.
