Suggestions for anyone driving in Dubai
Stock up on gas (full tank is best), plenty of drinking water, and food that won't spoil and have them all in your car. Then make sure to have a GPS system, compass, a mobile/cell phone and hopefully one with internet in case you need it. Then also buy a few recently printed maps (things change quickly here).
To have the best frame of mind, have plenty of time, the provisions listed above, and a healthy use of the popular 'U' turn or in some cases an elaborate 'U' turn on a highway can take the shape of a clover when you travel:
Also, be familiar on how to use roundabouts or traffic circles because they are everywhere. Then have a good sense of where the water is - I suggest when you see the row of skyscrapers, there you go - and also which direction Abu Dhabi and Oman are in general.
Then, be aware that there are cameras all over the road ready to take your picture when you speed. If your car is local, it will probably beep when it goes over the 120km/hr speed limit although there are places where the speed limit is lower.
Realize that things are not logical, sometimes you need to go right to go left and left to go right. Sometimes, there is no exit or the signs are not very well labeled. Don't always trust the GPS.
Above all, when you take the wrong exit or turn, be prepared that it will take you another 5-20 minutes and 10 miles to get a chance to make it right. In fact, just today on a large clover inter-pass, I saw a car reversing on the side of the road because they had missed their exit and knew it would be hell to pay to correct that mistake.
So, have patience, be positive, make sure you have eaten, have water, and gone to the restroom before you start your first few trips. Soon, you will have a better sense of where you are going and be more Dubai-savvy to not require as much planning.
Ruby L. Powers
September 4, 2011
Stock up on gas (full tank is best), plenty of drinking water, and food that won't spoil and have them all in your car. Then make sure to have a GPS system, compass, a mobile/cell phone and hopefully one with internet in case you need it. Then also buy a few recently printed maps (things change quickly here).
To have the best frame of mind, have plenty of time, the provisions listed above, and a healthy use of the popular 'U' turn or in some cases an elaborate 'U' turn on a highway can take the shape of a clover when you travel:
Then, be aware that there are cameras all over the road ready to take your picture when you speed. If your car is local, it will probably beep when it goes over the 120km/hr speed limit although there are places where the speed limit is lower.
Realize that things are not logical, sometimes you need to go right to go left and left to go right. Sometimes, there is no exit or the signs are not very well labeled. Don't always trust the GPS.
Above all, when you take the wrong exit or turn, be prepared that it will take you another 5-20 minutes and 10 miles to get a chance to make it right. In fact, just today on a large clover inter-pass, I saw a car reversing on the side of the road because they had missed their exit and knew it would be hell to pay to correct that mistake.
So, have patience, be positive, make sure you have eaten, have water, and gone to the restroom before you start your first few trips. Soon, you will have a better sense of where you are going and be more Dubai-savvy to not require as much planning.
Ruby L. Powers
September 4, 2011
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