Summer road safety tips in the UAE

Summer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can be extremely hot and humid with greater impact on motorists, vehicles and even pedestrians. The heat during summer is intense and can be quite hard to bear, especially for those who are new to such extreme weather conditions.

Driving during the summer in the UAE can be a challenging experience due to the extreme heat and harsh weather conditions.

Whether you are taking up short or long journeys, driving in the UAE during the summer requires extra caution and preparation because nearly 25 to 30 percent of Dubai’s traffic deaths happen during the summer months.

Already police in Dubai have started a summer safety campaign to ensure safe driving and avoid accidents.

Though many residents of the UAE travel abroad during the summer month, the traffic may be low in important cities like Dubai & Abu Dhabi but still the traffic congestion may occur during the peak hours.

In this blog, we shall look into some of the summer driving tips to make your travel easier, safer and more comfortable despite the scorching heat.

Regular car maintenance

Get your vehicle completely inspected and take up regular maintenance at the reputed car service center to make sure your car is safe to drive.

Some of the common problems faced during the summer include air conditioning system issues, tire blowouts and dead batteries. So take up the proper preventive maintenance and be prepared to handle them at ease if an unexpected situation arises.

Try to stay hydrated

The high temperatures in Dubai can make you tired and reduce your concentration while driving during long journeys. So carry a water bottle with you and stay hydrated.

Park your vehicle in the shaded area

Parking your vehicle in a shaded area can reduce the negative impact of heat on your vehicle. You may use any of the shields like PPF, ceramic coating or any other to protect your car exterior paint surface from the heat.

When parking under direct heat, the temperature inside your car will be quite high, in such a situation never leave the children and pets inside the car unattended since it may increase the chance of health issues like heat stroke and many others.

If you are staying inside the car, slightly open the window to get some ventilation as it can lower the internal temperature in your car.

Drive sensibly

In case of fog or sand storms, it may become difficult to clearly visualize the roads so lower your speed and keep more distance from the preceding vehicle and increase your concentration.

Avoid peak hours of traffic

Getting caught up with the heavy traffic can result in overheating of your car, so try to avoid the peak hours if possible.

Be prepared to handle the emergency

Keep an emergency kit in your car, including items like a first-aid kit, a flashlight, extra water, and a fully charged mobile phone.

What are the important maintenance needs for your car during the summer?

Tyres: Pay special attention to the tyres as tire blowouts can occur more frequently during the summer month. So before any drive, pre-check your tyres for cracks, damages and the optimum pressure level.

Fluid levels: Fluids in the car may get evaporated due to the extremely hot temperature, so get the fluid inspection done at regular intervals.

Air conditioning system: Make sure the air conditioning system in your car works properly and get it serviced at the earliest. Try not to switch on the car AC immediately as you enter if your car is too hot inside or parked under the hot sunlight for a long time.

Battery: Extremely high hot temperatures may accelerate your car battery aging so pay attention to the battery health.

By following these tips and being mindful of extreme weather conditions, you can have a safer and comfortable driving experience in the summer months.