Dubai: Motorists must exercise extra caution during the Eid Al Fitr holidays, especially since they are likely to receive congratulatory phone calls or messages while driving, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) advised on Saturday.
"Families tend to go outdoors more frequently during the Eid holidays for shopping and recreation; which raises the likelihood of traffic accidents due to the lack of concentration, negligence or inattentive driving caused by chatting on the phone or sending congratulatory SMS," said Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of the RTA Traffic and Roads Agency.
She noted that traffic accidents and resulting fatality rates relating to festive occasions had been generally falling in recent years.
"Grand occasions like Eids and long holidays are associated with changes in behaviour and people's attitudes, norms and customary practices which are reflected in abnormal changes in traffic and driving habits. Such circumstances undermine road safety and increase liability to dangers unless drivers take safety precautions such as compliance with driving and traffic rules, raising the level of attentiveness and caution, observing the proper traffic rules, and anticipating mistakes of others," she said.
The official said such errors also tend to increase during Eid holidays as many individuals who have not practiced driving for long tend to hire vehicles during this period.
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"One of the reasons responsible for liability to higher driving risks is that more people, together with their families and children, tend to go outdoors for extended periods on these days, particularly in areas near parks and recreational facilities," she said.
Care of children
"Community members celebrating the Eid period are advised to avoid driving while feeling terribly exhausted or fatigued... Parents are urged to care for their kids and not allow them to go on to the road unattended, educate them on the requirements and practices of crossing roads and boarding vehicles, such as avoiding excessive movement, and fastening the safety belt. They must not allow children to sit in the front seat nor in the lap of the driver or person in the front seat, and ensure children are seated in their designated seats in the vehicle," she said.
She called on those planning road trips during the holiday to plan ahead and check their vehicles for tyre pressure and excessive load.
She also stressed the importance of using the safety belt and not allowing passengers to board or alight from the rear left door, adhering to the traffic instructions and road signs, using signals to overtake or park, exercising extra caution when negotiating curves or driving on unpaved roads, besides observing the speed limit.
