Dubai: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged motorists to take extra care while driving during Ramadan as fasting can cause fatigue and drowsiness.
"It is important to take great care while driving especially before iftar because motorists tend to speed to reach home to end the fast," said Hussain Al Banna, Director of Traffic at the RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency. He warned motorists speeding, impatience and drowsiness due to fasting can lead to fatal accidents.
The RTA has launched "Fasting and Safe Road Campaign" to educate motorists on averting traffic accidents during Ramadan.
Al Banna said that the lifestyle of Muslims changes during Ramadan because of sleepless nights and it also adds to bad traffic behaviour.
Last Ramadan, in 2009, some 16 people were killed in 239 traffic accidents while 18 people died in 298 traffic accidents in Dubai during Ramadan in 2008. "Our campaign targets to minimise the traffic mortality rate this Ramadan," Al Banna said.
He said the most accidents during Ramadan happened soon after working hours between 1pm and 3pm as motorists tend to speed to reach home.
"The change in the sleeping and working habits impairs the ability of fasting motorists to focus on driving and their concentration level also drops to the minimum," Al Banna said.
The campaign, which targets all motorists, is being run in cooperation with Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc). Ramadan traffic safety awareness leaflets are being distributed at all Enoc petrol stations as well as other locations in cooperation with RTA's strategic partners, including the driving institutes and some auto dealers and tyre companies.
Al Banna advised motorists to take sufficient rest before driving and asked them to stop to take a break if they feel exhausted, drowsy or yawn frequently. A brief break helps the driver complete his journey.
He also called upon the drivers to end their fast on the way if it is time for iftar instead of speeding home, as this could endanger their lives.
