The major highways in the UAE, of emirates like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah usually face heavy traffic during peak hours. The responsibility of minimising congestion and disturbance falls just as much on the drivers as on the authorities. Drivers need to be at their best behaviour, avoid certain practices to ensure they aren’t adding to the issue. Rubbernecking during driving is the act of slowing down to observe an accident or any distraction on the road. It is one such common practice that aggravates the situation.
This guide explains the dangers of rubbernecking on the roads and what the authorities in the UAE are doing to discourage it.
Rubbernecking on the Road
By definition, rubbernecking is anything that makes your head turn. Such distractions are not just limited to traffic accidents. Rubbernecking during car driving could be a result of turning your head to chat with passengers or admiring a distractive billboard. Hence rubbernecking and distracted driving are two sides of the same problem.
Accidents tend to pique the interest of other drivers on the road. Drivers tend to slow down cars to watch the overturned vehicle or any other incident that has already disrupted the traffic. Although it’s human nature to be intrigued by anything out of the ordinary, curiosity on the road can lead to a chain of undesirable events.
Causes of Rubbernecking
The prime cause of rubbernecking during driving are road accidents. It’s hard to not look over an overturned car and work out the cause of the accident. The problem arises when drivers don’t realise how this action can have its own consequences.
First and foremost, losing focus from the road can lead to another accident. Slowing down in the middle of flowing traffic will force cars behind you to slow down. Hence, disrupting the flow of traffic across the road. On the highways, such scenarios can play out differently. Since cars travel at high speed on the highway, unregulated stops or slow down can cause some cars to hit the front car.
Not every driver can predict the unusual slow down on the highways and might crash into other vehicles or have to make evasive manoeuvres to save themselves.
Steps to Control Rubbernecking
Driving a car slowly, creating distraction and changing lanes abruptly around the scene of an accident is an invitation for another unforeseen event. Resisting rubbernecking is up to the driver and awareness of its dangers is one way to prevent such behaviour.
Drivers are advised to keep their focus on the road while passing by a scene of an accident. While near the accident site, practice defensive driving and maintain distance between other vehicles in case others might slow down.
Also, learn about other dangerous practices to avoid while driving to have a safe road experience.
Fines on rubbernecking in the UAE
In order to prevent rubbernecking, the UAE traffic authorities have taken some extra steps to demotivate the practice. As a way of punishment for rubbernecking on the roads, the UAE has already introduced a fine of up to AED 1000 for rubbernecking.
Additionally, crowding around the accident site or taking pictures is also made illegal. The fines extend to the bystanders as well since they can thwart the efforts of emergency respondents.
According to the Ministry of Interior, filming or posting road accidents can cause psychological shock to affected families. Hence, the act of posting online is punishable with a fine reaching AED 150,000.
There are laws and driving rules in the UAE to ensure road safety. Therefore, there are repercussions for the passers-by who film road accidents and such events. The law enforcement forces can issue a fine of up to AED 1000 including the bystanders crowding the accident site.Accidents occur when we lose focus and control on the road. Rubbernecking can slow the traffic as well as cause accidents on high-speed roads. Nowadays, cars are equipped with safety features like auto-braking system and cruise control to avoid accidents in such scenarios.
Take a look at some of the used cars for sale in the UAE with tech and driving assistance features to aid the drivers.
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