Happy driving

Increase in fuel price is an international phenomenon. We should learn how to accommodate and live with such situations.

Whilst I echo everyone’s sentiments this is not the end of the era. Living in the midst of our daily busy schedule there are a lot of issues in our community that are driving us insane with problems faced by many.

We already know the price has a rippling effect so why not switch to better living? I still see the roads of Dubai overdone with millions heading to the office. In some families, I see three cars with them driving high-capacity engines. I drive a V6, my full tank lasts for a week and I pay Dhs210 despite other expenses. Luckily, I am still working from home so commuting to work early in the morning in the midst of the busy traffic is totally out of the question, although in the evenings I take my vehicle out for a workout.

My policy is to always work smart. Most of us love to drive classy cars, outshine and try to be ahead. We need to remember higher the engine capacity the higher we pay for the fuel. To add most importantly, it’s also how we drive. We keep applying the brakes and accelerator, it means more fuel is being consumed unwantedly. It’s a shock to see lower-capacity vehicles racing against vehicles with higher engine capacity.

We should put on our thinking caps and revise the way we commute.  We have the metro available although in some areas the metro is not and I know reaching the station does take a while as public transport buses are time-consuming. Sadly, the taxi fares are also high which is why many love to depend on carpooling with friends, and co-workers. But due to the increase in fuel price bus companies have also started charging customers more as they need to meet their demands.

Rent a car should be the last option as you pay on a day-to-day basis. If you have an office close to your apartment, walk and make use of the heat to melt that fat off.

A lot of motorists struggle to drive as many have vehicles that have a mechanical failure. A smooth engine also helps in better fuel efficiency so try doing regular maintenance. Happy driving. 

Mathew Litty — Dubai