Driving in the UAE

I've been tossing around with this idea of going back to blogging.
Well, not really. I actually wanted to post something a long time ago; I just wasn't in any mood to write.
Do you know the feeling? You have like a milllion things in mind, and when you roll up your sleeves to start writing (typing), your mind just goes blank.
That's exactly what happened with me lately.
I guess it's just because I have LOTS on my mind.

Ok. So, today's topic: Driving in the UAE.
This post is looong overdue.

WARNING: This post is a result of years of bundled annoyance and anger towards the style of driving in the UAE. If you are offended, I apologize in advance; please don't take it personally. Hey, that's how I feel, and quite frankly, I'm not sorry for that!

Every single day I spend in the UAE, driving from Dubai to Sharjah, driving to the Engineering parking lot, driving back to Dubai, driving to Mall of the Emirates, even driving to the supermarket ...... almost EVERY trip brings me total frustration and a reason for grey hair to grow faster on my head! Seriously!
I've been tempted many times to draw and post some cartoons illustrating certain situations, but I backed out as to not offend some people. Hmm .. I'm definitely re-considering that now.

Before driving in the UAE, I've always believed that driving in Kuwait is pretty dangerous - speeding and wreckless driving. I know most of you would agree to the fact that the rate of accidents each year is quite high in Kuwait.
Now, when I drive in Kuwait, it's like driving in Heaven, in comparison to driving in Dubai or Sharjah.
Allow me to elaborate on the different types of wreckless drivers I've encountered.
[Please note that the following descriptions do NOT apply to ALL drivers in the UAE, whether they were locals or not. If you think that you are going to be offended, please stop reading NOW]

> Local Guys (Emarati Men)
I have many Emarati colleagues who are also friends, of course. I have to say that they are the exact opposite of other guys that I encounter on the road. My colleagues are sweet and very well-mannered.
Unfortunately, what I see on the road is ... I really can't find the word right now! (for those who know me in real life, this is where I make that sound when I'm em3a9ba)
Some of those drivers think that only because they're locals, they own the road! I am not saying this out of rage or whatever; a friend of mine (who is not a local) once told me what had happened to him the other day. When a local bumped into my friend's car from behind, they both disembarked their vehicles to check if their were any major damage done. Do you know what happened next? The local started yelling, "This is my country! What are you doing hitting the breaks all of a sudden! Blah blah blah!" ..
You see, they believe that ALL roads in the UAE are a designed for a rally! On Emirates Road, speeding is a normal thing; in fact, if you're accelerating less than 140km/h, be prepared to be forced off the road, even if the other lanes are filled with vehicles. Their attitude: if you don't move now, I'm gonna make you move!
Oh and one more thing, if you are a girl, it's even worse, especially that I have a Kuwaiti flag sticker on one of my car's windows. May9adgoon 3ala allah eshoofoon bent ga3da tsoog.
One time, I was being forced off the road by a local guy in an SUV. Ana rasi yabes. I'd NEVER move to the next lane as long as I'm not doing anything wrong. So, the guy changed lanes quickly and drove right in front of me, hit the breaks briefly (ya3ni to get back at me), rolled down his window, and threw out a piece of garbage. How low is that? Besides, if you're really in a hurry, why the hell did you hit the breaks?
This is only 1% of what I see on the road.
In short: those drivers have no tact, no respect, and I can go on and on forever about them! Again - SOME of those drivers.
The same applies for SOME of the Local Girls. When I was out just an hour ago, this girl bumped into my car, just like that. What really ticked me off is that I wasn't speeding or anything; 7a'6rat'ha was coming into the road after making a turn. Ya3ni, how stupid could you be to actually hit my car at less than 30km/h! El sharha 3ala elli ma36eeha el licence! I got out to check on my car, and almost went over to her window, snagged her out of the car, and tore her driving licence right in front of her eyes - but I didn't (ta3awatht min eblees, latkhafoon I'd never really do that hehehe) All I did was give her a look, then signal to her that she's stupid! o Meshait. The idiot kept standing next to her car, checking if it was hurt, which resulted in a number of cars forming a line behind her. 7emdela wel sheker. (Ok. So it shows that I'm in total rage)

>Truck & Bus Drivers
I can't talk enough about those drivers. All I can say is that I thank God each and every day for saving my life from truck and bus drivers who think that they're driving a Porsche or a Ferrari!



I'm going to end this here - 6alla3t 7arretii, as you can see.