Roadside emergencies are often inevitable – but safe driving practices can play a role in reducing such incidents. A lot of inconvenient situations can be avoided easily if all drivers are considerate and courteous to other cars on the road. It is an important part of being a good driver. Being a courteous driver is not at all difficult. Here are some useful tips to guide you in this regard.
How to Be a Courteous Driver
Road accidents can happen because of several reasons such as distracted driers, poor roadways and road rage to name a few. That is why every driver must drive safe and drive kind. Whether you are driving on a highway or a residential area, always be thoughtful of others around you. Following are nine useful tips on becoming a courteous driver.
Use an Indicator
Whenever you want to change lanes use the indicator. Don’t just get in another lane without informing other vehicles behind you. It’s not only rude, but it is also downright dangerous. Always use an indicator before changing lanes so that the drivers around you are aware of where your move.
Share the Road
Be a courteous driver and share the road with everyone around you. Sharing the road isn’t just polite but it also ensures a safe driving environment for everyone around you.
Drive in One Lane
Don’t keep changing lanes unnecessarily, it’s not polite, if anything it is dangerous. Drive safely and only change lanes when there is a need to, else keep driving in one lane. Stay safe and drive in the right, middle or left lane.
Be Courteous with Pedestrians and Motorcyclists
Pay attention to the roads and signals as lack of attention and distracted driving can be fatal for pedestrians. Always stop at the zebra crossing and check if the pedestrian walking light is red or green.
Moreover, if you are in a parking area, make sure you check in the rear mirror before reversing your car. Only hit the accelerators when no one or no object is behind your car. Apart from being thoughtful to pedestrians, be kind to the motorbike riders on the road. Make sure you indicate motorbike riders as well when changing lanes.
Don’t Block Intersections
In order to prevent gridlock, drivers should avoid blocking an intersection unless they safely can drive all the way through the other side. If you wish to become a courteous driver, always be mindful of this fact. Blocking an intersection is dangerous, it is illegal and it becomes a major reason for traffic congestion.
Stop at the Red Light and Stop Signs
Abiding by the traffic lights and traffic signs in the UAE is part and parcel of being a courteous driver. Plus, if you don’t want to pay heavy fines, always stop at the red light and other stop signs. Moreover, if you are driving slower than the normal road speed limit and there are people queued behind your car give them way before the signal turns red again.
Speed Limits for Driving in the UAE
The speed limit for driving in the UAE on freeways is 100-160 km/h, on rural roads, it is 80-100 km/h, for urban dual carriageway its 60-80 km/h, for residential areas (urban single carriageway) its 40-60 km/h and for parking areas and service roads, its 25 km/h.
Always Give Way to Emergency Vehicles
Always be thoughtful of the ambulances, fire trucks and police patrols on the road. Sometimes the drivers of emergency vehicles struggle to get through traffic jams to reach the hospital, scene of an accident, scene of a crime or scene of a fire in time because cars refuse to clear the way.
Driving in a courteous way will help you be sensitive to the situation and give way to emergency vehicles. Then this isn’t just about being nice, it’s about being responsible. Remember, you can save someone’s life by giving way to an ambulance, fire truck or police patrols on the road.
Stay Calm
The most important tip for becoming a courteous driver is to keep your emotions in control. Even if it’s the other person’s fault, never lose your temper, overspeed or honk at the other vehicle. This can lead to dangerous situations such as accidents or verbal and physical disputes between two drivers.
Be Patient with Learners
Courteous drivers never honk or overtake learners or new drivers on the road. That said, some people want to get ahead of a vehicle if they sense someone new is driving that car. New drivers might be driving slower than the normal speed limit but you have to be patient with them. Therefore, always encourage new drivers, help them when needed instead of pressurizing them.
That is all about being a courteous driver on the road. Drive safe, keeping all the driving rules in the UAE in mind. Besides, if you wish to go for a courteous and reliable online car shopping experience, here is a list of used cars in the UAE.
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