The drive of my life
These days, I'm starting to feel a little uneasy about getting into my car and onto the roads. We are constantly bombarded with news of how unsafe the roads are, backed up with statistics of the high number of accidents and fatalities, which is starting to get to me. So much so, that driving has become an unnecessary horror.
Do you always believe what you read? Perhaps. But you believe it more when you see it. I've read stories about people's shock when they see babies on their parent's lap whilst in the driving seat. I've heard about the zigzagging in and out of lanes on the highway, and cars jumping the red lights. Lately, I've seen for myself how often this happens, and it leaves me in total disbelief. Not only at their ignorance and lack of understanding of why traffic rules exist, but also that they could endanger my own life at worst. In order to get to your destination without a scratch, you need a good dose of defensive driving, and always check your blind spot!
I never thought the joy could be taken out of driving for me, especially by some careless individuals who don't respect the roads and other road users. They need good training, tougher driving tests (theory and practical), and annual car testing should be made mandatory (hey, what a good money-making idea - credit to me, thanks!). Any other suggestions?
To the massive truck who crashed into my side; to the Nissan Sunny who rammed into my other side head-on in the two-way lane; to the valet boy who bashed into my door in the parking lot, locking me in; to the pick-up who bumped me at the back in standstill traffic on the highway, please look where you're going and spare me the daily paranoia I have to endure.
19 comments:
oops..u are so much accident prone..
By the way... how many times it was your fault??
*twintopaz - none were my fault, I'm female, remember ;)
By a blinged up yellow hummer h2, black out the windows.
Then no-one will dare give you one up the backside....
*Guy, either that, or any make of car with any number AD plate plus Xenon lights. Bingo. The world's your oyster!
Wht you said is true,,,
but if you care wht other's might do that makes you feel insecure about driving around, Then you would better stop doing any thing, since you gona be afraid to take the risk, and by doing so the meaning & the fun of living is gone,,,
To be alive is take risk on every thing you do,,,
Today you are afraid of car accidents,,, may be tomorrow you gona be afraid of toasting the bread which may electrocute you to death or you might slip on a slippery floor and bang ur head and die,,,
Well I think you got my point,,, It is fun taking the risk of living every day ;) Try being reckless for a day just to see how it feels,,, Oh yea then tell us how was it ;)
yes princess, I do agree with red: live reckless, take a risk. Stop dodging the bullet and get yourself killed for a change! sheesh ..
ohh am sorry to hear that i hope ur ok ...
"Not only at their ignorance and lack of understanding of why traffic rules exist, but also that they could endanger my own life at worst"
I hear you loud & clear. I don't know where else shall you find world class highways/roads and third class drivers?
The highways have CLEAR marked signage, stop signs, awesome traffic lights - and helpful cops (Dubai cops - not Anjad, well OK Anjad too : ) - have cat eyes and are so well lit. Yet some (actually lots) of silly drivers mess up this well designed infrastructure that erodes the joy of driving in the UAE.
Whilst attending driving school in SHJ (in 1995) I went thru rigourous and clear training instructions and practical experience, so am confused how come we’ve got these loonies on the roads these days?
You must drive after all the loonies have gone to bed. I cruise along the lovely highways in early morning hours, when there are so few cars – with my light music and it’s such a joy and so safe - you won't find it anywhere else.
Sorry to hear about you car – hope you are alright?
You know lovergirl,
It’s funny that the first entry I finally decide to click on in blogworld is this; simply because I’ve been experiencing the same thing. After going through the road rage of driving from Ajman to Abu Dhabi and back daily, for about 6 months, I’ve found myself waiting for an accident that I’m sure I’m due. Little accidents, like the one I created by crashing into a parked car at a petrol station a few weeks back (sorta like seeing a cliff and still walking off it for some reason beyond your own comprehension), they don’t count. I’m expecting something big and my fear has caused me to simply STOP driving period – when I can.
The traffic situation is out of control in this country. Personally, I think prior to getting a license, in addition to stricter and more accurate driving tests, people should be forced to take IQ tests, because some of the shit you see and/or experience is just plain stupidity.
Tainted!!! Long time no comment!
Hope life's treating you well.. and yes.. driving in Dubai is enough to put most of us in a straight-jacket.
I've even heard it said that there are some people who drive cars yet find it in their hearts to criticise smokers for polluting the atmosphere. But I can't believe it - can you?
*red dragon, I get the gist of your point but I disagree generally. I think to be fearful of things like the things you mentioned in your 4th para would be classed as a psychological disorder. But to have rational fear based on real stats of deaths on the road here, and the increased probability of being a victim the more one drives is not a disorder. On the other hand, to overcome this rational fear, one needs a 'good dose of defensive driving' as I said...I do get your main point and though I don't have the fears you mentioned and am not likely to develop them, I am sure there are many who do have the tendency to start thinking along those lines...
*whos sane God forbid if I were killed, you'd have a few less comments on your blog...:P
*jawahir jewels, I was fine in all those incidents/accidents, only the corolla who went head-on to me from my side was potentially serious...but I was fine in the end...thanks!
*rosh, excellent points...I agreee about the "world-class" infrastructure but many don't. Well, some roads are designed pretty badly but that's another issue. There are too many loonies on the road. If only loonies were tested properly we'd have less of 'em on the road. I think that would bring the numbers of accidents down...if that's a logical argument, wouldn't it be a simple system to adopt? Defeats me.
(Yes, I escaped completely unhurt. Thanks!)
*tainted female (lovergirl!)..hi & welcome! "I’ve found myself waiting for an accident that I’m sure I’m due." That's exactly what I think sometimes. It's nerve-racking. I just have the 'khalli walli' attitude...shit happens...even when loonies bash into you. What explains is better when it's somebody else's fault and not yours? As for you hitting the parked car...well..it was an 'accident' - just that. That's why I often forgive and forget the people who bashed into me. I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose :)
"IQ tests". Umm...that would rule out most of the working population, lovergirl...wouldn't that have a drastic consequence on the economy? :P
*paraglider, that's absurd. Maybe it's one of the loonies...but as per tainted female's suggestion of a link between loonies and low IQs, I don't think loonies can formulate logical conclusions, therefore wouldn't be able to criticise or even understand the notion of "environmental awareness".
priceless.. shit.. i just noticed that u meant that u been in a crash! Are you ok? sorry i'm being stupid.. shit.. anyway.. driving here is mad.. i'm not surprised, but i hope all's well at your end.
u reminded me with an OLD post i wrote at the UAE CB... it was the ride of my life too.. can't find it though
Hi *buj, yes, I had been in accidents but I was referring to the circumstances to illustrate example of the extremely 'stupid' nature of the accidents. When it happens more than once in such short spaces in time, it reflects very bad driving. I didn't intend to hilight my personal suffering but nonetheless I'm touched by the good wishes I've received from yourself and other bloggers. Thanks everyone...:)
Buj, track it down, try & rem. which month it was in and look it up, let me know if you find it, would be interested to read it! ;)
Finally got it!
http://uaecommunity.blogspot.com/2005/11/almost-lethal.html
Shite! Must have been a terrible experience. Just goes to show how everybody is at risk of accidents, and at the hands of terrible drivers.
What with all the strict measurements in place for 'red light jumping' offenders, there's nothing wiser than to pause and check the junction before moving. It's a valuable lesson to learn...thanks Buj for the link, and glad you're OK.
I*.. i drove at 20-40kmh all the way back home after that incident.. still remember it today.. also coz i was driving dad's new car.. as he wanted me to break it in before he takes it on his usual high speed adventures.. i was so close to losing both the car and son for my dad. elhamdilla it didn't happen.
i guess it's just the sceptic in me.. i had to check lefts and rights.
and i believe there were 2 red-light cameras at that junction. i hope they caught the fucker, made him pay 10x his annual salary, cancelled his fucking visa and sent him back to the dump he came from. otherwise it would have been manslaughter.. or really murder in my books. TWAT.
ok.. enough swearing.. have a nice day :)
Swear as much as you like (I will too, hint hint @ "idiot" ^_^ )
Yeah, hope that imbecile got caught. Your comment just shows how you have to think twice at red lights...I for one certainly will start making this a habit: the fundamental step of defensive driving!
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