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New UAE expats develop passion for driving
| Published: | 7 Nov at 6 PM |
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A survey by a leading insurance group has noted that a majority of new arrivals on the expat scene in the United Arab Emirates develop a passion for driving.
The study, undertaking by YouGov on behalf of Zurich Insurance, polled 749 UAE expat residents, of whom 66 per cent admitted their attitude towards driving had changed radically since their arrival in the Middle East. The explanation for most of them was that they were now able to afford far better and faster cars than they could in their home countries.
As regards road safety, 68 per cent considered the roads in their new country were far safer than those at home, with 66 per cent of those surveyed adding that the roads were better kept. Asian expats who felt safer driving in UAE totalled 75 per cent, while Arab expats were on 71 per cent.
New residents in the emirates were also asked to state their favourite driving destinations, with Hatta, Khor Fakkan and Jebel Hafeet coming out on top. According to Zurich’s Middle Eastern CEO, Maroun Mourad, everyone has their individual opinion on driving in the UAE, with most new arrivals happier about motoring in general than they were in their home countries.
On the negative side, 45 per cent found local drivers’ habit of changing lanes without signalling an annoyance, with the level of traffic irritating to 39 per cent. Other drivers’ usage of mobile phones whilst at the wheel also caused annoyance to 39 per cent of those polled.
The study, undertaking by YouGov on behalf of Zurich Insurance, polled 749 UAE expat residents, of whom 66 per cent admitted their attitude towards driving had changed radically since their arrival in the Middle East. The explanation for most of them was that they were now able to afford far better and faster cars than they could in their home countries.
As regards road safety, 68 per cent considered the roads in their new country were far safer than those at home, with 66 per cent of those surveyed adding that the roads were better kept. Asian expats who felt safer driving in UAE totalled 75 per cent, while Arab expats were on 71 per cent.
New residents in the emirates were also asked to state their favourite driving destinations, with Hatta, Khor Fakkan and Jebel Hafeet coming out on top. According to Zurich’s Middle Eastern CEO, Maroun Mourad, everyone has their individual opinion on driving in the UAE, with most new arrivals happier about motoring in general than they were in their home countries.
On the negative side, 45 per cent found local drivers’ habit of changing lanes without signalling an annoyance, with the level of traffic irritating to 39 per cent. Other drivers’ usage of mobile phones whilst at the wheel also caused annoyance to 39 per cent of those polled.
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