Reckless driving on the rise in Ramadan

RECKLESS driving and road rage has become a common phenomenon in Ramadan as people try to rush through heavy traffic to reach home in time for breaking fast with family members. As an inevitable consequence, there used to be a steep rise in the number of accidents recorded every Ramadan.

Although people who keep the obligatory Ramadan fast are expected to control their emotions and behave with respect to everyone around, it is not rare to see people fighting and blasting off with anger in public places, especially around sundown. The excuse they normally come up with for their rude behavior is that they are fasting, but it does not make sense because fasting is supposed to bring discipline in people’s lives.

Abdulkareem Al-Malki said drivers with bad road etiquette are selfish and disrespectful to other road users, including pedestrians.

“Most of the drivers, especially the young ones, are very disrespectful on the road. They commit several violations after ensuring the speed cameras are not capturing them. Parking lots in front of shopping malls sometimes become become battlegrounds. The places are usually crowded during Ramadan nights and people become very impatient. Every driver thinks he has the right to bypass the other,” Al-Malki told Al-Riyadh newspaper.

He said the authorities should run an awareness campaign to improve road etiquette.

Fahd Al-Rajhi said taxi drivers also become increasingly disrespectful during Ramadan.

“They obstruct the traffic flow and create a lot of ruckus trying to pick up passengers. They should be penalized for their irrational behavior and the fact that they are fasting is no excuse to endanger public safety,” said Al-Rajhi.

Abdullah Al-Nasser said he noticed many private drivers with rude behavior.

“Most motorists are impatient, they are very inconsiderate and don’t help each other in need,” said Al-Nasser.

Ali Al-Bahli said we often see people fighting and feuding in the streets when they should be respectful toward each other especially in the holy month.

Abdulaziz Al-Bugamy said people driving close to iftar time always think they need to rush their way through heavy traffic.

“They forget that these few minutes before iftar are supposed to be minutes of peace and contemplation, not anger and restlessness,” said Al-Bugamy.

The lifestyle specific to Ramadan can have serious effects on people’s body and mind, especially when the fasting month falls in hot summer like this year.

Fasting can result in dehydration and low blood sugar, which in turn can limit our attentiveness, concentration, vision and reaction.

In addition to fasting, the unusual eating and sleeping patterns can cause fatigue, exhaustion, impatience and distraction.

Dr. Fahmy Abdulaziz, a clinical psychologist, said: “During the fasting hours, controlling temper becomes a problem. People are hungry, tired, sleepy, dehydrated and on the run. The combined effects of all these are anger bouts and subsequent fights.”