As the holy month of Ramadan 2026 continues across the United Arab Emirates, medical experts and authorities are raising fresh safety alerts for drivers, particularly those making long commutes during fasting hours between emirates such as Dubai and Sharjah. With many drivers observing the fast from dawn until sunset, concerns over fatigue, dehydration and reduced alertness behind the wheel have emerged as genuine road hazards that could increase the risk of traffic accidents during the holy month.
The issue has drawn attention as commuters on busy routes, especially the Sharjah–Dubai–Sharjah corridor, clash with heavy traffic flows and late-afternoon drowsiness. Local medical professionals and transport safety advocates are urging drivers to be conscious of how fasting-induced changes in energy and hydration levels might influence their driving performance and overall road safety.
How Ramadan 2026 fasting affects driving performance
According to Dr Adel Al Sisi, Chief Medical Officer and Head of ICU at Prime Hospital in Dubai, physiological changes during fasting, such as lower blood sugar levels and mild dehydration, can have measurable effects on reaction times, alertness and concentration.
These changes, he told Gulf News, often become more pronounced in the mid-to-late afternoon, when energy levels dip naturally and dehydration becomes more impactful. As a result, drivers may be at greater risk of delayed reaction times, fatigue and impaired focus, especially when combined with poor sleep or long hours without food and water.
Dr Al Sisi noted that the period just before iftar (the sunset meal to break the fast) is particularly dangerous because many drivers feel rushed or irritable to reach home in time, a mindset that can lead to riskier driving behaviours. The same time frame has been shown in accident data to coincide with a spike in road incidents, especially between 12 noon and 6 pm, with the 2 pm to 4 pm window being especially collision-prone.
Local social media reactions underscore these concerns, with commuters commenting on the noticeably different driving mood during Ramadan, including impatience, fatigue and road frustrations that can exacerbate risks on already busy highways.
UAE traffic patterns and peak risk hours during Ramadan 2026
It is not just medical opinion highlighting the dangers as separate analyses of accident patterns across the UAE have shown that road accidents tend to spike in the hours leading up to iftar. Insurance claim data from previous years indicates that drivers aged 36–40 are among those most affected, with a clear trend of accidents increasing as fasting drivers feel both physically drained and time-pressured.
Authorities have also noted that road safety challenges during Ramadan extend beyond fasting factors. Earlier finish times to work, heavier traffic in mid-afternoon and the psychological pressure of reaching destinations before sunset all combine to create a uniquely hazardous period for drivers.
Official road safety advice for fasting drivers in the UAE
To mitigate these heightened risks, both medical experts and police departments across the UAE are offering practical, multitiered advice:
- Prioritise Rest –
Ensuring 6–7 hours of sleep can help reduce daytime fatigue. Sleep deprivation combined with fasting increases the likelihood of dangerous lapses in concentration behind the wheel.
- Plan Travel Times Strategically –
Leaving earlier in the day, especially to avoid mid-afternoon and pre-iftar rush hours, can reduce stress and exposure to periods when driver performance typically dips.
- Take Breaks and Stay Calm –
Short mental breaks during heavy traffic and calm driving habits, such as avoiding aggressive acceleration, keeping safe distances and breathing exercises to manage irritability, are encouraged.
- Suhoor and Hydration Choices –
A balanced suhoor meal with complex carbohydrates (whole grains, oats), protein (eggs, yogurt, nuts) and adequate water helps maintain steady energy levels during fasting. Doctors recommend avoiding heavy, sugary, salty or greasy foods that lead to energy crashes.
- If You Feel Dizzy or Extremely Fatigued, Stop Driving –
Medical advice is clear: if you experience dizziness, severe tiredness or loss of concentration while driving, the safest choice is to pull over and rest rather than pushing on.
Beyond individual medical guidance, road safety initiatives throughout the UAE, including traffic awareness campaigns by Sharjah Police and other emirate forces, are urging motorists to adopt more cautious driving behaviour, especially in residential areas and before iftar rush. Police have explicitly called on drivers to slow down, reduce speed in shared zones, and resist the urge to rush, insisting that arriving safely is more important than arriving quickly.
These campaigns coincide with longstanding Ramadan road safety measures that highlight risks tied to irregular meal and sleep schedules, as well as psychological pressures that can influence driving habits during the fast. While fasting drivers face unique challenges during Ramadan, authorities stress that everyone on the road, fasting or not, needs to exercise extra caution. Defensive driving, patience, and planning are essential across the board, especially when traffic volumes increase and environmental conditions shift due to changes in work hours and social routines during the holy month.
Road safety during Ramadan is not just a matter of individual skill; it is about understanding how human physiology and social patterns shift during this period and adjusting behaviour accordingly to protect all road users. As medical and traffic experts repeat their warnings, the overarching message is clear: safe driving requires awareness, preparation and, above all, patience.
