First ever UAE ‘Indicator-Use’ research: Motorists know the importance, but fail to use it comprehensively

The lack of properly using indicators is not only an act of inconsiderate behaviour and breaking laws, but also a key ingredient to the #1 killer on UAE roads, lane swerving (MOI data: 21% of fatalities in 2015). In line with RoadSafetyUAE’s and QIC Insured’s quest to dig deeper in understanding the root causes of motorists’ misbehaviour, this most recent research shares light on the use of indicators when we change lanes, take an exit, merge onto a highway, turn at a junction, etc. 

Commenting on this research, Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Vice President MENA Retail, QIC Insured, said: “We’re quite surprised to see that almost all acknowledge, that using the indicator increases road safety, but only 15 % are seen to actually use the indicator when driving – it seems like an easy win for safer roads, if motorists would actually use the indicator when switching lanes and we need to analyse how we can positively influence our customers to increase the usage of the indicator.”

Indicator use and road safety:

90% of respondents state, that the use of indicators increases road safety. This is positively pronounced in the 30-39 years group (92%) and lowest in the 18-24 years group (84%). Westerners (100%) score highest, Arab expats (86%) lowest. Abu Dhabi comes in below the national average with 85%. 

Perception of own behaviour:

Motorists seem to be pretty content with their own behaviour, with 67% stating to indicate almost every time. Once again, the youth trails (18-24 yrs.: 56%) and the experienced excel (40+yrs.: 78%). Emiratis score lowest (54%) and Westerners highest (85%). Abu Dhabi (56%) contrasts Dubai (73%). 

Perception of other’s behaviour:

Most interestingly, there is a big gap between the perception of motorists’ own behaviour and their perception of other motorists’ behaviour! Contrasting the numbers above, only 15% observe others indicating almost every time! “These latter numbers seem to represent the reality better than the self-evaluation”, states Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE.

Some of the reasons for not using indicators could be indicative of the various backgrounds of UAE’s traffic participants. In those instances where respondents did not use their indicator, the reasons given were: distraction by traffic (23%), non-indicating out of habit (16%), indicating is seen as a sign of inexperience (16%) or weakness (9%) and indicating is not usual in home country (11%). 

Edelmann concludes: “Continued awareness initiatives are needed to remind motorists that the non-use of indicators does not only break the law, which comes with traffic fines and black points, but it is also impolite, inconsiderate and dangerous, as it contributes to lane swerving - the #1 killer on our roads. Always using the indicator protects us motorists, our passengers and other traffic participants. Regardless of our backgrounds, all UAE motorists must have a crystal clear understanding about it. Just always indicate – it’s as simple as that! ”

The results of the study are based on the views of a representative sample of more than 1,000 UAE residents and was conducted in February 2016 by YouGov. The details of the research results can be found in the ‘featured’ section on: http://www.roadsafetyuae.com/statistics/.