UAE | Traffic and Transport

Lack of self control translates into violence on roads, says academic

Low self control or impatience can lead to crimes including violence on roads, a senior academic told Gulf News, based on his study of traffic accidents.

  • By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:01 November 12, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
  • "People who behave violently on the road have certain common traits which can be identified easily."

Abu Dhabi: Low self control or impatience can lead to crimes including violence on roads, a senior academic told Gulf News, based on his study of traffic accidents.

"People who behave violently on the road have certain common traits which can be identified easily. These specific traits make them significantly different from others in the society," said Professor Diab Al Badayneh, Vice President of Al Hussain Bin Talal University in Jordan.

Professor Al Badayneh spoke to Gulf News at the sidelines of the International Symposium on Traffic Safety Management Systems, organised by Emirates Traffic Safety Society (ETSS), Arab Road Safety (Aroso) and International Road Safety organisation (PRI).

Al Badayneh applied the 'General Theory of Crime' (by Gottfredson and Hirschi, 1990), which explains low self control as the cause of any crime, to traffic accidents and found that the results are very similar.

"Our study tried to relate if low self control led to violence on the roads. The results showed us that there was a clear link," he said.

Explaining the traits, he said: "People with low self control cannot postpone their satisfaction. They need instant gratification. One can easily relate this to motorists who cause problems on the roads and violate rules and regulations."

"Notably, these people rely on their physical appearance to act tough on the roads," he added.

Are patient drivers a scarcity on roads? How much time do you spend in traffic each day? How do you kill time when stuck in traffic?

Your comments


Although no doubt people will disagree, I have found that UAE drivers, whichever nationality, are addicted to traffic. Reason being they are so used to it, they do not know how to react when it is not there. Consider how people drive when the road is blocked - bumper-to-bumper and tailgating. Yet when the road is clear, the same drivers are tailgating. Drivers are driving slowly in the fast lane and fast in the slow lane. It is just incomprehensible to them that the road is clear and they can driver normally. Hence my conclusion is that drivers in the UAE are addicted to traffic - regardless of the conditions, the style of driving does not changes. No disrespect is meant, I personally hope that things change; drivers here need a uniform manner of driving. There are too many styles all on the same road - that is the problem.
Syed S.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 14:08

The best way to test this is to drive on the fast lane at the right speed, and you will be surprised by the kind of driving you see.
Amyn
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 10:55

I have observed so many violent habits on the road.
Ganesh Subramanian
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 09:45

I think slow drivers have a big role in boosting anxiety and impatience in others road users. Moreover, I noticed that most drivers do not use their signals when changing lanes, which results in horrific accidents. I request all drivers to respect the law and frankly it would make a huge difference if we only stick to the speed limit. I thank the authorities for investing so much time and money to prevent accidents. Be a steady driver rather than being a patient driver and obstructing traffic.
Nadeem Ahmad Haji
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 09:32

I agree with this. We can find live examples of people changing lanes even when all the roads are blocked. This clearly shows the impatience of a person. This may even affect their personal as well as their professional life. When stuck in traffic, the best way to kill time is to listen to music. I usually travel on Business Bay to reach the airport tunnel. I spend around one hour crossing the tunnel but by listening to good music, I end up having a relaxed drive.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 08:55

It is true, impatient drivers cause more traffic accidents in UAE. But one thing to remember, there are no born impatient drivers. They get agitated when stuck in traffic for hours. If a normal 20-minute drive takes two hours or more during rush hour, on a daily basis, it becomes very frustrating. This is not to justify the deeds of impatient drivers but to think about the real cause behind the 'arrogance'. If we check the traffic violations on Saturday, when almost 50 per cent of the companies and all schools are closed, we could see the difference. People drive very well and enjoy it, compared to working days. It is the overcrowding of vehicles on roads that feeds on the drivers? nerves. More roads and traffic police could ease the situation to some extent. I wish all drivers be patient on the road.
P. N. Panickar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 08:53

Thanks to our new car, which has a television screen, my husband could watches movies in his car when traffic is at a complete stop. Once he managed to watch three movies on the day of the massive collision and fire on the Shahama-Dubai road.
Hamriya Abdul Rahman
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 08:34

As life is full of compromises, to gain something we have to compromise other things. Having witnessed a number of traffic accidents, I made my living close to my office to avoid the traffic. I have also suggested the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to have a seminar annually to educate all drivers. RTA could teach drivers how to be calm and collected when stuck in traffic. I am sure this short session would reduce traffic violations drastically.
K. K. Rajaram
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 08:27

I think the two main reasons why drivers get frustrated are: people who are traveling from Sharjah to Dubai everyday have to spend at least two hours each way and this results in bad manners. Just imagine how frustrating it is if you were stuck in traffic every day for two hours. I have also seen people driving like they owned the road and treated fellow drivers very badly.
Nasser Gilani Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 08:19

The outcomes of this study are really an eye-opener. Howver, most of the world already knows about this. I think it is better to concentrate on teaching people how to be considerate and safe drivers.
Casper
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 08:12

I think the traffic is the villain here. People cannot estimate when they can reach at a particular place, their office, meeting place or anywhere else because it all depends on the traffic condition. Therefore, if a driver encounters an empty road, he or she will just drive as fast as the can.
Suresh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 12, 2008, 07:26

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