A Guide on How to Deal With Car Breakdown As a Woman in Dubai

A holiday in the UAE sounds like a dream until your car breaks down and develops a fault you can’t fix yourself.

Some of those faults on the road of Dubai or other traveling destinations can be an alternator replacement or a need to change the car tires. So you have to be prepared for the worst. A few simple tricks might help you not to lose your temper and get back on wheels. Below are five useful tips.

Five Useful Tips To Follow

Prioritize Safety Above All Else

You don’t want to worry about being hurt. Pull over to the side of the road, where you can get further off the road, away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Lock your doors. If you happen to be broken down in a remote area, stay inside your vehicle with the doors locked. Contact and wait for help and don’t accept a ride from a stranger unless their identity is clear, for instance, as a police officer, a tow-truck operator, or someone in a clearly labeled vehicle belonging to a roadside service company.

Ensure you have plenty of emergency numbers in your mobile phone, especially those of your car manufacturer’s approved garage. Also, scribble down important data, such as the model number of your car and your insurance policy, before heading out on the road.

Secondly, never panic if your car breaks down. The more composed you are, the more likely you are to get help from those around you, making the situation easier to navigate.

If you have planned your journey carefully, it’s worth staying inside, especially if it’s raining. Ensure you protect your documents and cash in case of heavy downpours.

Installing a portable glowing triangle on the road may be a good idea, but if this is not possible, inform the other drivers about your location by turning on your hazard lights.

Know Your Rights

In the UAE, certain regulations were recently introduced to ensure support for drivers in case of their vehicle breakdown. Acquaint yourself with these regulations.

Roadside breakdown: Most, if not all, car rental services and insurance companies offer some roadside breakdown cover. Make sure you are clear about what sort of things your insurance covers.

Police Help: If you are uneasy and need help, please call the police. They can assist you in cases such as this.

You can use the Women-Only Taxis: Many taxi companies in and around the UAE have ‘women-only taxi’ services – a good choice if you are alone.

Cultural Sensitivity is Key

UAE is a multicultural society, with various customs and traditions that an expatriate or tourist who stays in UAE country should respect. From those residing in the UAE, for example, local authorities and service providers, it is appreciated that respect for their customs and traditions should be allowed.

Dress accordingly: If you are planning to get out of your car and have to interact with men in any way, it is a good idea not to tempt the devil by dressing with open parts of the body. Have a scarf or a shawl with you so that you can modestly lower your head and cover your breasts.

Communication is Crucial

Describe your problem concisely when talking to authorities or service providers. Use simple English, if possible, or have a translation app handy if you do not speak Arabic.

Learn to be Patient: You might have to wait a while for help to arrive, particularly if you’re alone. It is crucial to be patient.

Document everything: Take pictures and videos of the scene, your car, and your interaction with authorities or service providers. (You’ll be glad you captured these images later when spinning up insurance.)

Learn from the Experience

When they’re all squared away, take some time afterward to think about what happened. What could you have done differently? What resources proved most helpful? How can you be better prepared for the next trip? Hope for the better but be prepared for all possible scenarios when travelling alone.