Motorists usually develop or pick up new ways of interacting with one another while on the highways. The unofficial highway signals used by motorists in the UAE are mostly visual cues and do not involve saying things loudly. The interesting thing about this language is that you can only learn it while driving. Let’s have a look at some of these highway signals motorists use to interact with each other.
Unspoken Driving Language
The unspoken driving language developed by UAE motorists can help them to interact with each other using highway signals. However, one must be aware that some of these highway signals can get you into trouble if they are against UAE traffic laws.
1. Leaving on the right indicator
What does this highway signal mean?
Motorists leave the right indicator light on to inform the driver behind that they intend to move out of the way once it is safe to do so. This is a gesture followed when the driver behind flashes high beams at you urging you to move out of the way.
Is it against the UAE traffic law?
There is no such traffic law or penalty for keeping the right indicator on.
2. Leaving on the left indicator
What does this highway signal mean?
The motorists leave the left indicator on to signal that they have no intention to pull over. Also, it may show that they will move out of the way when it’s safe to do so.
Is it against the UAE traffic law?
There is no such traffic law or penalty for keeping the left indicator on.
3. Flashing headlights to make way
What does this highway signal mean?
The motorists flash their headlights when moving in the fast lane on highways in the UAE, to inform the leading vehicle to move out of the way. The number and time between the headlight flashes indicate the urgency to move ahead.
Is it against the UAE traffic law?
Flashing headlights is legal when done to alert the leading vehicle of overtaking. However, the motorist must maintain a safe distance from the leading vehicle while flashing headlights.
4. Applying brakes when followed closely by another car
What does this highway signal mean?
This gesture is a dangerous one and must not be practised by motorists in a fast lane. The gesture is shown by applying brakes when travelling in the fast lane to intimidate the vehicle following you closely from behind. The highway signal indicates that you are angry at the vehicle tailgating you and for flashing its headlights on you.
Is it against the UAE traffic law?
This practice is a formidable one and must be avoided as it can endanger others’ lives. It is also among the things to avoid while driving. The motorist can get a fine for applying brakes on a fast lane when angry at the vehicle following close by.
Among the Dubai traffic fines, the motorist found making a sudden stop in the middle of the road, for no reason can get fined AED 1000 and receive 6 black points.
This highway signal also accounts for reckless driving and can end up the motorist with a fine of AED 2,000 and 23 black points. The vehicle will also get impounded for 2 months in the UAE.
5. Using windscreen water jets to stop tailgating
What does this highway signal mean?
This highway signal, used by motorists, is not as dangerous as pumping brakes in front of a tailgating vehicle. But it also indicates that the motorist is angry at the tailgating vehicle.
The motorists hit the water jets while moving at high speed so that the water flies over to the car behind and hits their windshield. As a result, the tailgating vehicle slows down to clean the windscreen. This is a very risky gesture and must be avoided as it can endanger someone’s life when the vision gets blurred due to a sudden gush of water on the windshield.
Is it against the UAE traffic law?
No, this highway signal has no meaning in the traffic law. It only shows an individual’s behaviour.
6. Driving close to the leading car without flashing high beam
What does this highway signal mean?
This highway signal is used by the vehicle following another vehicle to intimidate the motorist. It indicates that the following vehicle wants to overtake the leading vehicle. It also shows that the following vehicle will continue tailgating, instead of flashing a high beam until the leading vehicle moves out of the way.
Is it against the UAE traffic law?
It is illegal to tailgate a leading vehicle. As per the UAE road safety rules, if a vehicle is found not driving at a safe distance, the motorist will get fined AED 400 and receive 4 black points.
This is all about highway signals that motorists use unofficially in the UAE. While this might be the language motorists use to interact on the highway, most of the signals can get you penalised in the UAE. Therefore, it is advised to follow the safe techniques for changing lanes instead of inventing some of your own. Besides, if you do not own a car yet, and are a frequent traveller, you can buy yourself an affordable one from these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog for more information on driving laws and regulations.
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