DRIVING SAFELY IN ABU DHABI : PART 2 - GUIDE

STOPPING DISTANCES

Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear of obstructions or other vehicles. Always give yourself enough time and space to react to the unexpected actions of the drivers.

Allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving traffic. It is simple to check this. Focus on a marker in the distance, such as signpost or tree, and note when the vehicle in front passes the marker. Then count the number of seconds before your vehicle passes the same marker.

Allow at least a four-second gap if the road is wet, if visibility is poor, if the road is in poor condition or undergoing maintenance, or if you are driving a large or heavily-loaded vehicle.

Typical stopping distances

Speed              Thinking time             Braking distance              Total distance
30 kph              6m                             8m                                    14m
50 kph              9m                             14m                                  23m
80 kph              16m                           38m                                  54m
110 kph            21m                           75m                                  96m


LANE DISCIPLINE

Lane discipline means using the lanes correctly. The basic rule is to use the right-hand lane unless you are overtaking or filtering past slower-moving traffic.

• If you need to change lane, first use your mirrors and if necessary take a quick sideways glance to make sure you will not force another road user to change course or speed. When it is safe to do so, signal to indicate your intentions to other road users and when clear, move over
• Never use the hard shoulder for overtaking. You must not drive on the hard shoulder except in emergency or if directed to do so by the police
• Never overtake on the right

ROAD JUNCTIONS

You need to take extra care at junctions. This is a critical decision point for the driver; you need to think ahead and make decisions as early as possible about your speed and position on the road. Last minute manoeuvres are dangerous, whether they are made by you or by other drivers.

• Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians - they may not have seen you or heard you if you are approaching from behind.
• Watch out for long vehicles which may be turning at a junction ahead. They may need to swing out first and use the whole width of the road to make the turn.
• Do not assume that a vehicle coming from the left and signalling to turn right will actually make the turn. Wait and make sure.
• You must stop behind the lines at a junction with a "Stop" sign and a solid white line across the road. Wait for a safe gap in a traffic before you move off.

Note: Box junctions have yellow criss-cross lines painted on the road. These are located at major intersections, often with extra routing for traffic turning left or right. You must not enter the box until you exit road or lane is clear.


ROUNDABOUTS

On approaching a roundabout, take notice of all the information available to you - including traffic signs and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane. You should...

• decide as early as possible which exit you need to take
• give an appropriate signal - and make sure that it will not confuse other road users
• get into the most appropriate lane for your exit
• adjust your speed and position to fit in with traffic conditions
• be aware of the speed and position of all the road users around you

When reaching the roundabout you should give priority to traffic approaching from your left, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights.

Be wary of other road users already on the roundabout; they may not be signalling correctly or at all.

Important Note: It is against the law to change lanes while you are actually on a roundabout.  Get into the right lane before you join the roundabout.


DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY

A highway is a high-speed road with traffic travelling in opposite directions on multi-lane carriageways that are separated by central dividers.

There are slip roads (also called 'ramps') for joining and leaving the highway; there are no roundabouts or junctions, and U-turns and left turns are not permitted.

The righthand lane is normally reserved for trucks and buses.

Speed limits are usually higher on highways (120kph, with a minimum limit on some highways of 60kph) and traffic can be heavy.

Driving on highways is demanding and can be dangerous. Allow plenty of time for your actions on the highway. Consider every move carefully making the fullest use of your mirrors and giving other drivers plenty of time to see your signals before starting any manoeuvre.

Important Note: On highway you must not reverse, make a U-turn across the central reservation, or drive against the traffic flow. If you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit.

On leaving the highway, your speed may be higher than you realise - 80kph may feel like 50kph. Check your speed and adjust your speed accordingly.  Some slip roads and link roads have sharp bends, so you will need to slow down.


OVERTAKING

Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so.Check that...

• the road ahead is clear
• there is a suitable gap in front of the vehicle you plan to overtake
• no vehicle is about to overtake you
• you are not so close to the vehicle you intend to overtake that you will have to lurch into the overtaking lane

Important Note: Do not overtake if there is any doubt about the safety of the manoeuvre, especially where you cannot see far enough ahead to be sure it is safety.

If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.

Do not hold up a long line of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. If necessary, pull in where it is safe and let the other vehicle pass.


MOBILE PHONES

Mobile phones can be dangerous - they distract drivers and can cause them to make mistakes such as:

• straddling lanes
• veering across the road
• speeding up or slowing down without reason
• driving too close to the vehicle in front
• displaying mistakes in judgement and awareness of safe gaps in traffic

Make it a habit to only use mobile phones when you are parked. When you are driving have a passenger answer your phone, or allow your phone to go to the voicemail so that you can listen to messages later insteaf of taking the call.

If you feel you must take a call while driving, invest in a hands-free speaker phone, but even that can distract your attention from the road.

Caution: Using mobile phone while driving on Abu Dhabi's roads is illegal.


Watch out for more guide. Until next time..

God bless us more...


Psyche

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