Dubai safe driving tips for motorists

Careless driving and non-adherence to traffic rules are turning roads into virtual death traps.
Two people die in road accidents in the UAE every day, says recent figures from the Ministry of Interior. Quite interestingly, even as the number of accidents in the UAE decreased from 4,796 in 2015 to 4,788 in 2016, the number of road deaths has gone up. An increase of 7.4 percent was registered in 2016 with 725 deaths, compared to 675 deaths in 2015.  
The toll might see a further jump with more vehicles being added to the traffic fleet. Accidents may happen, but fatalities can be brought down with a bit of alertness and by following safety precautions while driving. 
Road safety shouldn’t be a choice. It should become an imperative. 
Recently, the Dubai Government Workshop issued a list of tips on how motorists can be safe while they drive. Read on:
Fasten your seat belts
 Seat belt car crashes are a leading cause of death. Buckling up the safety belt could help reduce a lot of accidents. The deaths and injuries that occur every year due to accidents could be reduced by about half if both drivers and passengers used their safety belts. 
Read: Beware of these new traffic rule amendments in Dubai
Have a clear head
Make sure you always have a clear head before deciding to operate a motor vehicle. Alcohol and certain drugs can severely impair your driving skills. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause dangerous drowsiness. Don’t drive for long stretches without a break. If you are tired, don’t risk the safety of yourself and others on the highway by trying to drive.
Limit driving alone when tired
Driving with someone else in your vehicle can increase your overall alertness. It is well recognized that when driving alone, especially when sleep-deprived and at night, your chances of a crash are dramatically increased.
Read the labels
 If you are taking any medications, be sure to read and obey the warning labels. If the label says the medication causes drowsiness or not to drive—heed the warning and don’t drive. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or to ask about medications for your condition that don’t cause drowsiness.
Plan ahead  
Allow yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination and allow for emergencies or traffic jams. By allowing extra time we can be more relaxed when operating our vehicles and thereby cut down on the incidences of road rage: excessive speeding, tailgating and weaving in and out between cars.
Research safety features
 Safety should always be a top priority while buying a vehicle. Research the safety performance of any vehicle you are considering buying including how the vehicle performs in crash tests. Both driver and passenger side air bags are now mandatory in all new cars. Look for side impact bags in many new models as well.  While buying a used vehicle, look for one with air bags. Research what type of safety systems are in the car and choose the safest to protect you and your loved ones in the event of a collision. 
Hot cars
On a hot day, the temperature inside a car can shoot up in minutes - even if the windows are partially open. Even if it is not so hot outside, the danger of overheating exists - especially if you have a dark-coloured car. Don’t leave children or pets unattended inside the car even for a few minutes.
Air bag guidelines  
To help prevent injuries when the car’s air bag deploys: Properly restrain all infants and children in safety seats, or lap and shoulder belts, whenever they ride in a motor vehicle. Never use rear-facing child safety seats in the front seat of a vehicle. Infants should ride in a rear-facing safety seat - placed in the rear seat of the vehicle - until they are about one year old.