4.3 Adverse Weather, Night Driving, and Reduced Visibility

Adverse Weather, Night Driving, and Reduced Visibility

Adverse weather and nighttime conditions present unique driving challenges on the roads of Sharjah. The Sharjah Driving Institute notes that while the UAE is known for dry and sunny weather, seasonal transitions bring hazardous events such as dense fog, sudden torrential rain, and sandstorms. Operating a vehicle safely in these conditions requires specific knowledge of vehicle lighting, tyre traction, and defensive speed adjustment.

Driving in Fog and Dense Mist

Fog is one of the most dangerous weather hazards in the UAE, frequently causing multi-vehicle pileups on major highways like the E311 (Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road) and E611 (Emirates Road) during winter mornings.

Mandatory Lighting Rules

When driving in fog, you must make your vehicle visible to others while ensuring you can see the road ahead:

• Use Low-Beam Headlights: Low-beam headlights project light downward onto the road, helping you see the lane markings.
• Use Fog Lights: Turn on your front and rear fog lights. Rear fog lights are especially critical as they are designed to cut through dense mist, allowing drivers behind to spot your vehicle from a safe distance.
• NEVER Use High Beams: High-beam headlights project light straight ahead. In fog, the high-intensity light hits the water droplets in the air and reflects directly back into your eyes, creating a blinding glare.

The Hazard Lights Trap

A major safety violation in the UAE is driving with your hazard lights (double indicators) flashing in fog. You must NEVER use hazard lights while driving normally.

• Why it is Dangerous: Hazard lights disable your turn signals. If you decide to change lanes or turn, you cannot signal your intent to other drivers. Furthermore, flashing hazard lights convey to trailing drivers that your vehicle is stationary. When they see flashing hazard lights, they may brake abruptly, causing a chain-reaction rear-end collision.
• Correct Use: Hazard lights must only be used if your vehicle has broken down, has stopped completely due to an emergency, or if you are warning drivers behind of a sudden stop immediately ahead.

Zero-Visibility Protocol

If the fog becomes so dense that you cannot see the road markings or the vehicle immediately in front of you, you should not continue driving.

1. Signal and exit the main highway safely.
2. Park in a secure area completely off the road, such as a petrol station or a service lane.
3. Once safely parked off the road, turn off your driving headlights so oncoming drivers do not mistake your position for the active driving lane.
4. Turn ON your hazard lights to ensure your parked vehicle is visible.

Driving in Heavy Rain and Aquaplaning

Rainstorms in Sharjah can lead to water accumulation on the asphalt.

Road Surface Slippiness

The road surface is most slippery during the first few minutes of rain. Over dry periods, oil, dust, and rubber deposits accumulate on the asphalt. When rain first starts, the water mixes with these substances to create a thin, oily, and highly slick film. As the rain continues, this mixture is washed away, but traction remains significantly reduced compared to dry conditions. You must reduce your speed immediately when rain begins.

Aquaplaning (Hydroplaning)

Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between your tyres and the road surface, lifting the vehicle off the road. The tyres lose all physical contact with the asphalt, causing the vehicle to float on a thin film of water. When aquaplaning, you will experience a complete loss of steering and braking control.

• Causes: High speeds, deep standing water, and worn tyre tread (below the legal limit of 1.6 mm).
• How to Respond:
  • Do NOT slam on the brakes: Locking the wheels will cause your vehicle to spin out of control when the tyres regain traction.
  • Do NOT turn the steering wheel sharply: Sudden steering inputs will lead to a violent skid once traction is restored.
  • Do: Keep the steering wheel straight, ease your foot completely off the accelerator pedal, and allow the vehicle to slow down naturally. As the speed drops, the weight of the car will push the tyres back through the water to make contact with the road.

Sand and Dust Storms

Sandstorms are a common hazard on the open roads of Sharjah, particularly on routes leading through the desert areas towards Dhaid, Mileiha, or Kalba.

• Visibility: Strong winds blow sand across the road, causing visibility to drop rapidly.
• Crosswinds: Strong crosswinds can push your vehicle sideways, especially light vehicles and SUVs. Grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands to maintain lane discipline.
• Cabin Safety: Close all windows immediately and switch your vehicle's air conditioning system to recirculation mode to prevent sand particles from entering the cabin.
• Road Hazards: Watch for drifting sand piles on the outer lanes of the road, which can cause you to lose control if hit at high speeds.

Night Driving and Headlight Use

Driving at night is more hazardous because your field of vision is limited to the area illuminated by your headlights.

Outdriving your Headlights

To drive safely at night, you must adjust your speed so that your total stopping distance is shorter than the distance illuminated by your headlights. If you drive too fast, you will "outdrive your headlights," meaning that by the time your lights illuminate a hazard, you will not have enough distance to stop before hitting it.

Glare and Headlight Adjustments

• Oncoming Traffic: You must switch from high beams to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 150 meters to avoid blinding the driver.
• Following Vehicles: Switch to low beams when following another vehicle closely to prevent your lights from reflecting off their rear-view mirror.
• Windshield Glare: Keep your windshield clean inside and out. Dirt, grease, and dust scatter light, creating a distracting glare from streetlights and oncoming traffic.