UAE Young Drivers Behavior and Attitudes (Research)

• Young drivers cause the majority of UAE road accidents
  
• Young drivers score worst in many dimensions of dangerous driving
• Lowest levels of seat belt use and knowledge of the new seat belt law
• Stakeholder engagement is key to protect young drivers

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2 April 2019, (AETOSWire) According to Ministry of Interior (MOI) data published earlier, 45 per cent of all road accidents UAE-wide have been caused by young drivers and even 63 per cent in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as 34 per cent of all road traffic fatalities. These data illustrate the vital importance of understanding the root causes of young driver behavior and to address them accordingly. Although the official MOI figures refer to the broader age bracket of 18-30 years old drivers, we want to focus on the novice driver segment of 18-24 years. RoadSafetyUAE has conducted broad behavior studies since 2015 giving us the opportunity to compare the behavior of the young novice driver segment with the total driving population.

The problem is not a UAE specific one alone, as the UN mentions that the young novice driver segment is greatly over represented in crash and traffic fatality statistics. They pose a greater risk to themselves, their passengers and other road users. Death rates for 18-24 years old drivers typically remain more than double those of older drivers.

UAE’s MOI stated, that the main causes for accidents within this age group are speeding, using phones behind the wheel and not keeping a safe distance between vehicles. Young drivers score worst in many dimensions of reckless driving when compared with older drivers, as our studies testify. It seems only with experience and when growing older, UAE’s motorists adjust their behavior and drive safer. Here are some selected data points linking young driver behavior to the main causes of accidents on UAE roads: