Hammam al Badi - Muscat, May 26 - Despite many warnings by Royal Oman Police on road safety, some motorists ignore them at their own peril and others. With the onset of the holy month of Ramadhan, people prefer to break their fast with their families and neighbours and rush back home. Some of them may not be able to concentrate on driving as they are fasting and they may cause accidents
Drivers must ensure that they stick to the speed limits and maintain a safe distance while driving during Ramadhan.
Dr Waheed al Kharousi, who has been championing the course of road safety for many years, said, “We have to appreciate that during Ramadhan the entire routine is changed. People stay awake all night, then sleep in the morning and get tired in the afternoon because they are fasting all day.”
Road safety means that the motorists have to be alert round the clock.
“That is why we do not encourage use of devices like mobile phones while driving. So, what I am suggesting is that they should not stay awake all night. They should sleep after the Fajer (dawn) prayer until it is time to go for work. They have to show patience while returning home from work because at that period the level of blood sugar may be at its lowest and add to the fact that they have not slept well and there is some degree of irritation. These could be reasons for minor accidents,” Al Kharousi said.
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Another very stressful time in Ramadhan is just before Iftar (breaking fasting). “If you are going to break your fast at a friend’s or relative’s house, ensure that you leave early so that you do not drive very fast to reach in time. Also carry a few dates with you in the car if there is a delay to leave from your home. You can have them in the car when the Muezzin calls for prayer and drive slowly,” he said.
“Driving fast will not make you reach the destination early because others also travel fast and may not be that alert. There is this possibility that you will never reach your destination. We have to be very careful and we have to choose the food we eat so that we maintain our blood sugar levels steady all through the day,” he
said.
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