Lately, my mom visited Saudi Arabia. She is aware of easy methods to drive within the UK however refuses to take action on Saudi roads. I needed to take her in all places in my automotive, or she would take a taxi. Like many beginner guests to the dominion, my mother was too scared to get behind the wheel.
Hopeless Requirements On Saudi Roads
My mother was terrified as a result of driving requirements in Saudi Arabia are fairly unhealthy.
In cities and cities, drivers, notably younger ones, are sometimes reckless and thoughtless. They trigger many pointless street accidents, accidents, and deaths.
Younger and older Saudis put their lives in peril by rushing and working their automobiles carelessly, even on motorways with site visitors cameras (Sahere).
Driving right here generally is a harrowing and nerve-wracking expertise.
Guests Beware!
So, having survived greater than 20 years with solely minor accidents, I made a decision to compile my greatest ideas for girls drivers in Saudi Arabia, simply in case you’re feeling the identical means as my mother if you arrive within the nation.
A. Assume About Security
Earlier than you get in your automotive, make a acutely aware determination to drive safely.
Visualize your self being in whole management, snug, and arriving safely at your vacation spot.
Say to your self, “Immediately, I’ll stay alert, drive safely, and arrive at my vacation spot in a single piece.”
Earlier than you set off, your intention is important. It’ll decide your driving conduct and influence how different drivers deal with you as you progress.
Driving with good intentions will enable you be a greater driver and enhance your probability of surviving auto accidents.
B. Apparent Security Measures
At all times put on a seatbelt, entrance and backseat passengers alike.
Connect your GPS to a stand, however don’t maintain it in your hand as you drive. You’re going to get a positive.
Comply with the pace limits: 60 kph and 80 kph in cities and cities, and 110, 120, and 130 kph on intercity highways.
C. Much less Apparent Security Measures
Saudi males and a few girls drive very aggressively. Be mentally ready for a difficult driving expertise.
After 4 p.m. and within the evenings are the worst occasions to drive. Younger persons are on the transfer. Many street accidents occur at these occasions.
Earlier than you set out, examine the engine and the final situation of the automobile. In case you are renting, you’ll must pay for any breakdown bills, particularly you probably have been negligent.
A. Apparent Engine Checks
Guarantee right oil, water, steering, and equipment fluid ranges earlier than you are taking the automotive. Additionally, high up the air within the tires and ensure they’re nonetheless roadworthy.
Usually examine that you’ve adequate water within the radiator and windshield washer reservoirs.
Ensure there may be sufficient engine oil and that it’s clear sufficient and doesn’t require a change.
High up the steering oil and gearbox reservoirs if obligatory.
Verify that there’s a spare tire, a carjack, and instruments to vary tires within the occasion of a blowout.
Essential: Guarantee you might have a completely inflated spare tire and the proper dimension to your automobile.
B. Much less Apparent Automotive And Private Paperwork
If the Saudi site visitors police or officers from the ministry cease and query you, your paperwork needs to be so as.
You need to have the next paperwork with you if you drive concerning the kingdom:
- Passport (Jawaz)
- House Nation Driving Licence (Ruksa)
- Insurance coverage Card (Temean)
- Car Possession Card (Istimara)
- Tender copy of customer vacationer visa or eVisa (Tasheer)
- A sound Credit score Card
- A Saudi Handle (Lodge)
Additionally, study the rental automotive charges. Are they for limitless mileage, or do it’s important to pay a small quantity per kilometer?
Ensure you have the contact quantity helpful for Najem insurance coverage. Within the occasion of an accident, name them and wait an hour.
An insurance coverage official will drive to the scene of the accident. They’ll assess the harm and decide who induced the accident.
Observe that customer medical health insurance is obligatory in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, it solely covers the prices of emergency remedy.
It doesn’t embody follow-up hospital stays, medicine, or ongoing physician’s charges.
The Most important Causes Of Automotive Accidents
As you drive on Saudi roads, you must know the principle hazards.
Bear in mind, the next are the principal causes of crashes, accidents, and deaths.
- Driving Too Quick
- Driving Bumper to Bumper
- Distractions & Danger Taking
- Working Visitors Gentle
A. Driving Too Quick
Younger Saudis drive excessively quick and erratically, particularly on highways. The pace restrict is 120 kph and 130 kph on some main roads.
Excessive-speed automobiles use the left lane or the overtaking lane. At excessive speeds, drivers count on others to get out of the best way to allow them to move.
To get you out of the lane, drivers will flash their headlights a good distance behind you. You possibly can see them flashing their lights at a distance within the rearview mirror.
Transfer, or they are going to drive you into the center lane to move by.
B. Driving Bumper to Bumper
Some cussed drivers refuse to get out of the quick lane to permit rushing drivers to move.
On this case, Saudi drivers will start driving bumper to bumper.
To drive you out of the lane, they are going to come dangerously shut at excessive pace to the again of your automotive as you’re touring.
Typically, you’ll be able to see two, three, or extra automobiles driving bumper to bumper in a series at very excessive speeds.
It typically leads to severe automotive pileups, accidents, and deaths.
Chances are you’ll use the far left lane, however proceed with excessive warning.
C. Distractions & Taking Dangers
Some are unlawful, however the ordinary distractions comparable to speaking on the telephone, texting, consuming, and chatting with passengers are different causes of many accidents within the kingdom.
Additionally, folks steadily drive carelessly, lose focus, and trigger collisions when they’re in a rush to get someplace.
You see this lots within the site visitors round Saudi cities and cities. Everybody appears to be in such a rush on a regular basis.
D. Working Crimson Visitors Lights
You possibly can see severe automotive accidents at intersections and site visitors lights.
In an try to beat the sunshine earlier than it turns purple, younger drivers get pleasure from touring at excessive speeds towards site visitors lights.
There’s a 5-second delay earlier than the inexperienced lights flip purple. Drivers use this temporary delay to leap the purple lights on the intersection.
Typically, their timing is poor. Different automobiles coming into the intersection from the left or the suitable may cause high-impact collisions, accidents, and fatalities.
A. Dealing With Excessive Speeds
Don’t drive too quick, and at all times be cautious of rushing automobiles.
Impatient drivers will honk their horns to maneuver you out of the best way. Don’t enable their impatience to place you in danger.
Allow them to wait just a few seconds till it’s protected so that you can transfer apart or change lanes.
Additionally, be consistently looking out for rushing and harassed motorists.
Hold checking your mirrors to anticipate what is occurring behind and forward of you.
B. Dealing With Bumper to Bumper Drivers
I cope with bumper-to-bumper drivers by avoiding driving within the quick (left-hand) lane.
Nevertheless, Saudi drivers received’t care in case you are a feminine driver. They’ll drive you to maneuver out of the lane regardless.
I strongly advise you to make use of the center lane on highways more often than not as you drive.
Giant vans, supply drivers, and tow automobiles use the gradual (right-hand) lane. The load of those automobiles within the sizzling solar causes massive depressions within the street floor.
It turns into bumpy and nearly inconceivable for small automobiles to journey safely within the gradual lane.
The center lane is the most secure and best lane to drive in. All automotive drivers routinely use the center driving lane on Saudi highways.
C. Dealing With Danger Takers And Distracted Drivers
Figuring out widespread driver distractions may help you keep away from accidents on Saudi roads.
The commonest distraction is utilizing handheld gadgets comparable to telephones for calling and texting.
You can not management others, however you must use Bluetooth headphones throughout telephone calls and maintain your cell machine on the dashboard telephone stand.
As you overtake different drivers, give different drivers a large berth and pay attention to distracted drivers swerving throughout the street.
Additionally, maintain your distance behind different automobiles and provides your self a number of braking time. Different drivers behind you additionally want time to cease if you happen to brake all of the sudden.
Hold an eye fixed out for drivers who’re zigzagging and rushing by means of site visitors. These additionally trigger many accidents.
D. Dealing With Drivers Working Crimson Visitors Lights
When the site visitors lights flip inexperienced, I normally pause for just a few seconds earlier than pulling into the intersection.
Then, I scan the street, trying left, proper, and straight forward earlier than pulling out.
This technique has helped me keep away from collisions brought on by younger drivers who rush by means of intersections when the sunshine is purple.
I counsel you at all times do the identical.
What Ought to I Do If I’m In A Automotive Accident?
Don’t transfer your automobile, even if you happen to get caught in the midst of the street. Watch for the site visitors police to reach. Additionally, name the Nejam insurance coverage firm. A consultant will come to the accident scene to evaluate the harm and determine who induced it.
In case you are injured, an ambulance will take you to the hospital. Your go to visa insurance coverage will solely pay for emergencies; it is not going to pay for added hospital stays or medical bills.
What Ought to I Do If My Automotive Breaks Down Whereas Driving?
In case you break down on the freeway, keep together with your automobile and stay within the shade. Don’t attempt to stroll removed from the automotive. Place your purple triangle 10 meters behind your automobile and name roadside rescue. They’ll ship a tow truck to haul your automotive to a automobile restore store. It’s essential to pay a towing charge to the truck driver. They decide the associated fee primarily based on the gap between the restore store and the place you broke down. Towing fees begin at SR 200 and might attain as much as SR 1,000.
What Ought to I Do If My Petrol Runs Out?
Hold a big plastic canister helpful within the automotive. Stand behind the automotive on the laborious shoulder and wait. Place your purple triangle 10 meters behind your automobile, and shortly a sort individual will cease, drive you to a fuel station, wait so that you can refill your canister, after which drive you again to your automobile so you’ll be able to refill your fuel tank. Whereas it may be dangerous, girls typically are very protected, and folks will likely be very happy to assist.
What Ought to I Do If I Drive At Evening In Poorly Lit Areas
Roads between cities are poorly lit and might be treacherous. Many accidents happen at evening on intercity highways resulting from poor driving circumstances. In case you should journey at evening, examine that the rear and headlights of your automobile are working effectively. I choose to journey within the mornings earlier than the solar rises and the climate will get too sizzling or when the solar goes down within the cooler evenings.
What Ought to I Do If I Get A Dashing Ticket?
Exceeding the pace restrict will end in a violation discover through SMS. You pay the SR 300 positive utilizing a direct debit or bank card. Earlier than leaving Saudi Arabia, immigration officers count on you to settle any excellent site visitors fines on the airport or border.
What Occurs If I Use My Telephone Whereas Driving?
It’s completely authorized to make use of your cell machine you probably have it on a dashboard stand. Nevertheless, you probably have the machine in your hand, site visitors police utilizing roadside cameras will subject you citations with SR 500 fines for every infraction. In Riyadh, utilizing the hand-held GPS resulted in two violations for me in fast succession.
What Ought to I Do If I Drive By way of A Crimson Gentle?
There’s a hefty penalty of SR 3,000 for working purple site visitors lights. An computerized digital camera or a site visitors police officer utilizing a roadside digital camera data the infraction. It’s essential to pay the positive through direct debit or bank card. Earlier than leaving Saudi Arabia, immigration officers on the airport or land border will count on you to pay your whole fines.
What Ought to I Do If I Run Out of Consuming Water?
When you’ve got no water, drive to the closest service station and purchase extra. At a roadside breakdown, attempt to stay within the shade. Place your purple triangle 10 meters behind your automobile at evening and stand in entrance of or behind your automotive. Utilizing the rear or headlights, you need to be well-illuminated. Fairly quickly, a sort individual will cease, provide you with water, or drive to a fuel station to purchase you some.
What Occurs If I Park Illegally?
In case you park illegally, the site visitors authorities will tow your automotive, maintain it within the compound, and subject you a SR 300 penalty. Additionally, you will must pay further towing and automobile storage charges.
What Ought to I Do If I Kill or Injure Somebody in A Automotive Accident?
Watch for the ambulance and site visitors police to reach, to allow them to take the injured or deceased one that has died in a automotive accident to the hospital as quickly as potential. Additionally, name the Nejam insurance coverage firm. A consultant will come to the accident scene to evaluate the harm and decide who induced it.
In case you trigger an accident, the injured events will make an insurance coverage declare in your go to visa insurance coverage. For accidents brought on by automotive accidents, your insurance coverage firm pays for emergency care and pharmaceuticals. In every occasion of dying by street accident, they pay as much as SR 2,000,000.
