Top 10 Causes of Distractions for Drivers in the UAE

Distracted driving is a key source of many accidents, and many factors can distract motorists while driving including eating, drinking and smoking, in addition

In the UAE, distracted driving accounted for 13 per cent of all fatal accidents in 2021, according to data from the Ministry of Interior, ranking it number three in causes of fatal accidents.

Distracted driving is a key source of many accidents in the UAE. Many factors can distract motorists while driving including eating, drinking and smoking, in addition to the usage of mobile phones.

It is strongly advised that motorists keep both hands on the steering wheel and avoid any activity which hinders their focus on the road and traffic signals while driving. Let’s quickly check out the top 10 causes of distractions for motorists in the UAE.

Top 10 distractions for UAE drivers:

1. Behaviour of other drivers

2. Passengers speaking to you

3. Changing the radio

4. Adjusting the air conditioning

5. Poorly behaved children

6. Complex road systems

7. Road signs

8. Using a mobile phone

9. Reading maps/satellite navigation

10. Reaching for objects in the car.

The study found that drinking and eating while driving distracts 20 per cent of motorists.

Eating and drinking did not make it into the top 10, but any source of distraction can be potentially fatal and must be considered important. Eating and drinking involve manual, visual and cognitive distractions. This means we take our hands off the wheel, our eyes off the street and our attention off the happenings around us.