Rain in Dubai & Careless Drivers
It has already been raining for three days, since Friday. There was some rain when we arrived here but that was actually nothing comparing to what is happening now. During the day it looks like it is not the Middle East but the US and yet another end of the world is coming (watch 2012 movie!). However, it is nothing similar to what happened in Jeddah recently. At least at this very moment.
Rain in Dubai
As I said it has been raining for last three days, sometimes it stopped, sometimes it started again. The roads have become a disaster though. I bet you know how to drive in the rain, but there is something you are not probably used to back home.
Tip 1: Beware Dubai careless drivers
For me the most interesting things started in Al Khail Road and Business Bay Crossing. Many people do not seem to be used to rain. Many were driving at their usual 120-140 kph, flashing lights to the careful people to give them way. The life as usual.
Some people do not use the headlights. They seem to think that if there is enough light for them, then they don’t need to turn them on. They do not seem to understand that people may just not see them in the mirrors because drivers mostly focus on what is in front of them and may not see an enourmous 4×4 approaching them at 120 kph without any lights.
Unfortunately I didn’t have time to take a picture of a Land Cruiser 100 off the road seriously damaged from both the front and the rear sides.
Tip 2: Night roads – a flashy show
I have no idea what materials are used to make up the ideal asphalt surface of the roads here, but when it is wet it starts reflecting all the lights around.
That makes driving very difficult. When it is raining heavily, you can hardly see the carriageway marking. Add up the temporary construction marking that cannot be seen during day time but is perfectly visible when it rains. So, when you drive 100 kph in Sheikh Zayed Road, you may find yourself changing lanes without even realizing that.
Even if you don’t, keep an eye on the ones who does! It may be very dangerous. I do not use cruise control system and keep my hand at the horn ready to press it together with the brake pedal.
Unfortunately I haven’t got a night picture. But you may see that the road is like a mirror in the photo below.
Dubai roads in the rain
Tip 3: There is no drainage in Dubai
Sounds scary, doesn’t it? I was really surprised to see some big puddles. They are mostly found on the most-left and the most-right lanes of the roads. They may be deep enough to make your car lose the grip. This is very very dangerous and can push your car just off the road or cause a terrific accident.
Because night roads in Dubai during rains are a flashy show, you won’t see the puddles until you feel the gut feeling of loosing the grip. Try not to drive in the fast lane nor drive too fast in the slow lane. Just try to be in the middle.
Tip 4: Drive carefully in the rain
Wherever you come from, you should be used to driving in the rain. Just do what you would do home, beware the drivers who seem to be brainless, try not to drive too much in night when it rains heavily and remember about the drainage that does not exist.
Snow in Dubai?
I bet it would be a show if the climate change brought some snow here!
December 13th, 2009
