The “hesitant driver” threatens the safety of road users

Drivers observed some vehicle drivers applying excessive and sudden pressure on the brakes without justification on highways. They confirmed that this behavior constitutes a daily traffic concern, pointing out that it causes traffic accidents and threatens public safety.

They explained that “panic” and “fear” cause some drivers to brake suddenly, or repeatedly, without any reason to do so, which surprises vehicles coming from behind and increases the possibility of collisions.

A traffic expert advised drivers to change their lane when they spot a hesitant driver using the brakes excessively, because moving to another lane is the best solution to avoid its danger.

In detail, statistics from the Ministry of Interior revealed that six traffic accidents occurred across the country during the past year, due to sudden stopping of vehicles, in addition to recording 18 other accidents as a result of stopping in the middle of the road.

Drivers confirmed to Emirates Al-Youm the danger of these random behaviors, pointing out the necessity of complete concentration while driving and adhering to safe traffic rules.

They warned against misusing the brakes, especially on highways, as this could cause serious traffic accidents.

Driver Muhammad Mansour said: “We observe irresponsible behavior on highways every day, as we are surprised by drivers who continuously press the brakes on fast lanes because they were busy with their mobile phone and then suddenly became confused when they paid attention to the road.”

Driver Sultan Ahmed pointed out that “some drivers suffer from a clear weakness in emotional stability and extreme hesitation. You find them suddenly pressing the brakes in the middle of the road just because they are nearing an exit, without any consideration of the speed of the flow of cars coming from behind.”

Driver Fatima Abdullah confirmed that these behaviors cause tremendous psychological pressure, as driving behind someone who repeatedly presses the brakes without justification raises tension and panic. She said: “I was involved in a previous collision, because a driver in front of me panicked and suddenly braked without any obstacle on the road.”

For his part, the CEO of the “Saaed Association for Reducing Traffic Accidents,” traffic expert Dr. Jamal Al-Amiri, stressed the need to deal with these behaviors with extreme caution, giving a set of important tips and instructions to ensure everyone’s safety, and advising affected drivers to avoid accidents by “leaving an adequate safety distance” and committing to leaving a distance of no less than three seconds behind the vehicle in front, which gives the driver enough time to respond and deal properly in the event of sudden braking.

He also called for avoiding angry reactions, and refraining from using the car horn or high lights in a provocative manner, to prevent increasing the frightened driver’s panic or stimulating his aggression.

He urged to change lanes immediately when a driver is spotted using the brakes excessively, because breaking away from his lane and moving to another lane safely is the best solution to avoid its danger.

For drivers who suffer from “traffic panic,” Al-Amiri stressed the necessity of sticking to the right lane, and always staying in slow lanes, to avoid the pressure of high speeds on highways, in addition to enrolling in defensive driving courses, as specialized training enhances emotional stability and gives the driver the necessary skill to deal with road surprises.

He stressed the importance of preparing in advance for the trip and fully adjusting the navigation systems (GPS) maps before setting off to avoid sudden stops or slowing down while searching for entrances and exits, while gradually driving and practicing it at non-crowded times and on internal roads before moving to the fast lanes to gradually build confidence.

He pointed out that the Federal Traffic Law classifies these actions as serious traffic violations, as the violation of “standing in the middle of the road without justification” is applied to drivers who stop suddenly, which is punishable by a fine of 1,000 dirhams and the registration of six “black” traffic points on the driver’s license.

For its part, the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Security Patrols Directorate called on drivers not to stop in the middle of the road for any reason, and to go to the nearest exit to ensure their safety and the safety of road users to avoid serious and dangerous accidents and obstruction of traffic.

She called for complete concentration while driving, which enhances attention to any notifications regarding sudden malfunctions in the vehicle and to act in a safe manner, pointing out that failure to pay attention in this particular situation may cause serious traffic accidents.

She stressed the importance of ensuring safe driving in general by adhering to set speeds and using traffic lights to alert other drivers.

It also called on drivers, through an awareness video that included scenes of real traffic accidents, in cooperation with the Monitoring and Control Center, as part of the “You Comment” initiative, not to be distracted by anything other than the road while driving, especially when traffic slows or stops.