UAE: Driving on Dubai-Sharjah route whereas fasting throughout Ramadan 2026? Consultants warn of great fatigue risks on street
Because the holy month of Ramadan 2026 continues throughout the United Arab Emirates, medical specialists and authorities are elevating recent security alerts for drivers, notably these making lengthy commutes throughout fasting hours between emirates reminiscent of Dubai and Sharjah. With many drivers observing the quick from daybreak till sundown, issues over fatigue, dehydration and lowered alertness behind the wheel have emerged as real street hazards that might enhance the danger of visitors accidents in the course of the holy month.The difficulty has drawn consideration as commuters on busy routes, particularly the Sharjah–Dubai–Sharjah hall, conflict with heavy visitors flows and late-afternoon drowsiness. Native medical professionals and transport security advocates are urging drivers to take heed to how fasting-induced modifications in power and hydration ranges would possibly affect their driving efficiency and total street security.
How Ramadan 2026 fasting impacts driving efficiency
Based on Dr Adel Al Sisi, Chief Medical Officer and Head of ICU at Prime Hospital in Dubai, physiological modifications throughout fasting, reminiscent of decrease blood sugar ranges and gentle dehydration, can have measurable results on response occasions, alertness and focus. These modifications, he advised Gulf Information, typically grow to be extra pronounced within the mid-to-late afternoon, when power ranges dip naturally and dehydration turns into extra impactful. Consequently, drivers could also be at better danger of delayed response occasions, fatigue and impaired focus, particularly when mixed with poor sleep or lengthy hours with out meals and water.
Fasting Behind the Wheel in Dubai or Sharjah, UAE Throughout Ramadan 2026? Learn This First
Dr Al Sisi famous that the interval simply earlier than iftar (the sundown meal to interrupt the quick) is especially harmful as a result of many drivers really feel rushed or irritable to succeed in residence in time, a mindset that may result in riskier driving behaviours. The identical time-frame has been proven in accident knowledge to coincide with a spike in street incidents, particularly between 12 midday and 6 pm, with the two pm to 4 pm window being particularly collision-prone.Native social media reactions underscore these issues, with commuters commenting on the noticeably totally different driving temper throughout Ramadan, together with impatience, fatigue and street frustrations that may exacerbate dangers on already busy highways.
UAE visitors patterns and peak danger hours throughout Ramadan 2026
It’s not simply medical opinion highlighting the hazards as separate analyses of accident patterns throughout the UAE have proven that street accidents are inclined to spike within the hours main as much as iftar. Insurance coverage declare knowledge from earlier years signifies that drivers aged 36–40 are amongst these most affected, with a transparent pattern of accidents growing as fasting drivers really feel each bodily drained and time-pressured.
Ramadan Fatigue on UAE Roads: Docs and Security Officers Warn In opposition to Driving Whereas Fasting
Authorities have additionally famous that street security challenges throughout Ramadan prolong past fasting elements. Earlier end occasions to work, heavier visitors in mid-afternoon and the psychological stress of reaching locations earlier than sundown all mix to create a uniquely hazardous interval for drivers.
Official street security recommendation for fasting drivers within the UAE
To mitigate these heightened dangers, each medical specialists and police departments throughout the UAE are providing sensible, multitiered recommendation:
- Prioritise Relaxation – Making certain 6–7 hours of sleep can assist cut back daytime fatigue. Sleep deprivation mixed with fasting will increase the chance of harmful lapses in focus behind the wheel.
- Plan Journey Instances Strategically – Leaving earlier within the day, particularly to keep away from mid-afternoon and pre-iftar rush hours, can cut back stress and publicity to durations when driver efficiency usually dips.
- Take Breaks and Keep Calm – Quick psychological breaks throughout heavy visitors and calm driving habits, reminiscent of avoiding aggressive acceleration, conserving secure distances and respiration workout routines to handle irritability, are inspired.
- Suhoor and Hydration Decisions – A balanced suhoor meal with complicated carbohydrates (entire grains, oats), protein (eggs, yogurt, nuts) and ample water helps keep regular power ranges throughout fasting. Docs suggest avoiding heavy, sugary, salty or greasy meals that result in power crashes.
- If You Really feel Dizzy or Extraordinarily Fatigued, Cease Driving – Medical recommendation is obvious: when you expertise dizziness, extreme tiredness or lack of focus whereas driving, the most secure alternative is to drag over and relaxation fairly than pushing on.
Past particular person medical steerage, street security initiatives all through the UAE, together with visitors consciousness campaigns by Sharjah Police and different emirate forces, are urging motorists to undertake extra cautious driving behaviour, particularly in residential areas and earlier than iftar rush. Police have explicitly referred to as on drivers to decelerate, cut back velocity in shared zones, and resist the urge to hurry, insisting that arriving safely is extra vital than arriving shortly.These campaigns coincide with longstanding Ramadan street security measures that spotlight dangers tied to irregular meal and sleep schedules, in addition to psychological pressures that may affect driving habits in the course of the quick. Whereas fasting drivers face distinctive challenges throughout Ramadan, authorities stress that everybody on the street, fasting or not, must train additional warning. Defensive driving, endurance, and planning are important throughout the board, particularly when visitors volumes enhance and environmental situations shift on account of modifications in work hours and social routines in the course of the holy month.Street security throughout Ramadan is not only a matter of particular person ability; it’s about understanding how human physiology and social patterns shift throughout this era and adjusting behaviour accordingly to guard all street customers. As medical and visitors specialists repeat their warnings, the overarching message is obvious: secure driving requires consciousness, preparation and, above all, endurance.