Are things crazy on the road or is it my imagination?
 

Today in Abu Dhabi I saw more accidents and near misses on the road than I have in the last six months. What gives? Is it pre Ramadan insanity and can we expect another month of this. I was so glad to be off the road tonight, and to be honest I have not felt this way since I came out here. Are the chaps in Dubai seeing the same or is it only here?

Cheers NG

ITs the same in Doha my friend. Its the RAMADAN SEASON starting. It gonna be worst!

Are you coming over?

I dont think its to do with Ramadan in Dubai. It's hell everyday! Here you will find more retarded monkeys behind the wheel than sensible drivers.

YEs i will:ok:

But generally it is a bit more sane here, but tonight was scared $hitless.

For the next 28 days, a really good rule of thumb is to avoid driving in the hour leading up to Iftar (sunset to the uninitiated).

If you think you've seen some crazy things on the roads, the 'make it home for Iftar' rush by fasting drivers can result in some ... interesting ... decisions. Particularly 'interesting' for other drivers or pedestrians in the immediate vicinity.

drivers
 

Has John Mcclain said," welcome to the party pal", and a party it is every year. Madness, kaios, insanity, better known as Ramadan. Only drive in the mornings if you have to drive, after 21:00 hours, it is again madness.

CHeers:}

I think during ramadan you might be able to find a generous soul to pay for your one way ticket back home.

Ramadan has coincided with end of summer vacation. Typically the roads get busier when summer winds down and from my observations, many of the most dangerous drivers are returning. It's the perfect storm.

I actually enjoy summer here because it is easier and safer to get around.

This month could potentially be one of the most dangerous months in a long time. Be careful out there !

Yes, it's definitely the crazy season on the roads (aka Ramadamadingdong, or more affectionately "The IFTAR 500").

Keep that water bottle out of sight, and make sure the A/C is on and the window cracked so the tell tale wisp of smoke can be dissipated. we wouldn't want anyone getting slapped with a hefty fine now, would we!?

Its true. During ramadan the accident rate trebles and during the hour leading to Iftar it goes through the roof. Its called the Iftar rallye.
Dehydrated and undersugared, therefore borderline insane and about to faint - but one must not miss that first bite and gulp the split second after the sun is down.

The police know that and carry supplies of dates and water to de-fuse the developing drama after a one-minute-to-Iftar fender bender.

Its their country, their culture and they accept the risk - just like the Spaniards with their bulls in Pamplona. Just let them be. Stay off the road an hour before sunset. Delay your trip till 10 minutes after and you will be the only car on SZR.

At least the bulls have direction!:}

But during the day you can enjoy a quiet meal. Just stay clear at sunset when the prophet's followers come foraging for food.

God and I thought HK traffic was bad.

Good luck all.

Yup he is right
 

MrMachfivepointfive has hit the nail on the head:ok:
it is the same every year and if you think it is going to change you are :ugh:

If it was only on the roads, thats bad enough, but I'm just waiting for the first airline incident/accident with to fasting pilots in the flightdeck...
That would stir up some interesting global aviationsafety-debate.

I thought the Koran allows munchies if thought 'necessary'. I don't think it's a hard and fast (:8) rule.

fasting and flying
 

Remember 1 2 Go MD 80 crash in Phuket last year during Ramadan:
Indonesian muslim Cpt was fasting...

Found it. So pilots are exempt from fasting. :ok: Might even apply to driving a 4X4.

Koran. Fasting Exemptions.

Children, disabled people not completely in control of their physical or mental capacities and people going through a difficult time in their lives (hard physical work, war, travelling, latter months of pregnancy, nursing and menstruation) can be exempted from the rules (2:173, 6:45, 16:114–18). The explanation is that ‘‘God desires your well-being, not your discomfort’’ (2:185).