5 types of lane-changers driving on Dubai roads

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to driving on Dubai’s busy roads, and it’s no secret that the way people change lanes makes it all the more eventful.

According to the Ministry of Interior, motorists changing their lanes incorrectly cause more than 20 percent of all road fatalities.

Here are the 5 different species of lane-changers you’ll encounter behind the wheel if you drive in the emirate...

By the time this Sheikh Zayed Road lane-changer changes lanes, you’re about a millimeter away from their bumper and might even be forced to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision.

Just like that person who rudely cuts in front of the line at the supermarket, it seems like these type of motorists have an insatiable desire to be first...

ACCIDENT PROBABILITY LEVEL: 7/10

As the name suggests, indicators are present in every car so that the driver can indicate to others when they’re about to make a move on the road...

However, after extensive research, we can conclude that some motorists on Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road (E311 Emirates Road) are simply too cool to use the services of such an indicator...

Like a lioness hunting its prey, they’d rather maintain that air of surprise and change lanes without letting anyone know.

ACCIDENT PROBABILITY LEVEL: 6/10

They’ve declared their intention to move over to your lane well in advance. You’ve agreed to let them share your lane and drive ahead of you. However, for reason best known to a higher deity, this kind of lane-changer on the Jebel Ali Interchange will hesitate several times before actually moving lanes.

Symptoms involve keeping the indicator on but not actually changing lanes and beginning the move to another lane but then quickly retreating to the original one because of a wave of panic. It’s possible that this kind of lane-changer suffers from serious trust issues...

ACCIDENT PROBABILITY LEVEL: 4/10

It’s the classic ‘motorist on a mission’ syndrome.

The aim is to journey from the right-most lane of the highway from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to the left-most lane in as little time as possible while maintaining the highest speed.

Often resembling a metallic diagonal blur, it’s perhaps a consolation that this lane-changer will usually switch on his indicator to let his fellow drivers know what he’s trying to achieve.

ACCIDENT PROBABILITY LEVEL: 9/10

This is by far the most lethal of the lane-changers.

A deadly combination of driving at a high-speed while constantly inter-weaving between cars on Hessa Street makes this breed a real danger behind the wheel.

It’s these guys who are responsible for a fifth of road deaths in the UAE.

ACCIDENT PROBABILITY LEVEL: 10/10