The road to safety this Ramadan

Daylight hours during Ramadan this year are 13 hours 18 minutes in Dubai.

Road safety during Ramadan is a major concern that causes further unnecessary delays. During the holy month, accidents are a real danger as sunset time nears and people rush to Iftar.
A new study revealed earlier this month that most accidents during the month take place during the morning rush hour, from 9am to 10am, unlike the popular perception that they happen mostly around Iftar time. This year, hundreds of minor and major accidents have already been reported across the country in the one week since Ramadan started.
While the police are issuing new road safety rules and regulations that will be implemented starting next month and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) issues daily warnings, health experts too are asking people to take precautions.
The Ramadan-specific lifestyle has physical effects on our body - especially when it coincides with the hot summer season like this year. Fasting can result in dehydration and low blood sugar, which in turn can limit our attentiveness, concentration, vision and reaction. In addition to fasting, the unusual eating and sleeping patterns can cause fatigue, exhaustion, impatience and distraction. 
International SOS, the world's leading medical and travel risk services company, has highlighted the importance of organisations promoting healthy routines to the workforce.
International SOS is also raising awareness about road safety among employers, and those employees who spend time travelling, on what are expected to be particularly busy roads.
Dr Issam Badaoui, medical director, Assistance Centre at International SOS, commented on the ?tangible steps that individuals and employers can take to reduce risk factors. "Organisations should remind employees about maintaining a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and the importance of regular rest," he said.
"Individuals, particularly those who are fasting, should review their weight, blood pressure sugar levels and check their cholesterol before Ramadan. Each of these are key indicators for lifestyle-related conditions that are not often checked and known," he added.
Daylight hours during Ramadan this year are 13 hours 18 minutes in Dubai.
As schools will again be in session during Ramadan this year, ? International SOS reminds people that roads are expected to be busy, especially in large cities, and advises on the importance road safety awareness particularly in the hour before sunset. 
Road safety is one of the top hazards for business travellers and each year approximately 1.25 million people die in road accidents around the world and between 20 and 50 million people sustain non-fatal injuries.
Julian Moro, regional security director at International SOS, said: "Road safety during Ramadan is a major and often unappreciated danger for travellers and those staying in their home countries. During Ramadan, traffic accidents tend to peak as sunset nears and people rush to Iftar. 
"We would advise people to avoid any unnecessary travel on the roads at this time and take safety measures seriously whenever they are on the roads, whether they are a driver, passenger or pedestrian," he added. 
With 30 per cent of road accidents being work related, travellers, managers and support staff should negotiate the pitfalls and opportunities that exist with a mobile workforce. "With a few simple precautions, individuals and employers can reduce the risks associated with being on the road. We would advise people to avoid any unnecessary travel on the roads at this time and take safety measures seriously whenever they are on the roads, whether as a driver, passenger or pedestrian," he advised.
Thomas Edelmann, managing director of RoadSafetyUAE said: "It is of utmost importance to know how the Ramadan lifestyle can affect our own behaviour, as well as the behaviour of other traffic participants."
While accidents increase during Ramadan, so do insurance claims. Recently, RoadSafetyUAE, QIC Insured and Gargash Insurance Brokers teamed up to analyse the 2016 Ramadan claims data of 1,845 reported accidents/claims to draw learnings for this year's Ramadan. Frederik Bisbjerg, QIC Insured executive vice president, Mena Retail, said: "Based on this survey, we want to flag these three main findings: Especially older motorists (40+) must take extra caution, mind the morning rush-hours and male motorists need to pay extra attention towards their driving attitude."
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com