Principle of ‘Giver’s Gain’ will promote harmony on UAE roads

Instead of speeding to be the first to the traffic signal, drivers would find greater calm and safety by respecting others.

John Quinn, a long-time Dubai resident, always gives way to create a better environment on the roads. Antonie Robertson / The National

ABU DHABI // When drivers force their way to the front of the queue in heavy traffic, other drivers have only a few options – let them do so, accelerate to get ahead, or adopt the concept of “Giver’s Gain”.

Most road accidents in the UAE are caused by tailgating, queue-jumping, sudden changing of lanes, and turning without using indicators.

John Quinn, 46, who has lived and worked in the UAE since 1996, said Giver’s Gain had changed his life and his attitude towards driving.

It theorises that if a person gives respect to another, he or she will receive it in turn.

“Giver’s Gain is all about paying it forward,” said Mr Quinn.

“It is an opportunity for you to feel happy and positive, and I can link it to Arabian hospitality, the Arab culture and their way of life. It’s an opportunity for the driver to pass on happiness each day. What happens then is you feel good that you’ve let somebody get in front.”

Mr Quinn, who shared his story on the Road Safety UAE website last month, said there was a time when he had many bad experiences on the road.

“I was one of those people fighting to get in,” he said.

When he set up his own business in 2002, he also joined Business Network International (BNI), a group for members to network and pass business opportunities to one another.

BNI placed great emphasis on Giver’s Gain, saying that a member who introduces a business opportunity to another would eventually gain from a similar introduction.

One day, while stuck in traffic and fighting to maintain his position in the queue, Mr Quinn decided to use Giver’s Gain on the road. He stopped fighting with other drivers and let everyone drive ahead of him.

“At the end of that day, I was the happiest and most relaxed I’d been in years,” said the father of two.

“If I had continued on the aggressive driving course I’d set myself, I think I would have hurt myself or someone else. If only everyone could try this method of driving, the roads would be so much nicer.”

Thomas Edelmann, the founder of the Road Safety UAE website, which promotes road etiquette and politeness on roads, welcomed the idea.

“If we are relaxed, we enjoy driving more, we are safer and protect ourselves better,” he said. “We must also care for our passengers and for all other traffic participants.”

Vipin Kumar Kovumal, 28, an office administrator in Abu Dhabi, agrees. “Just the other day, I let someone in front and he said ‘thank you’, and I felt good,” he said. “We can change the driving culture and the behaviour of drivers here.”

Patrick Pengson, 33, an Emirates Taxi driver, said taxi drivers might find it difficult to apply Giver’s Gain on the roads.

“I give way to other drivers, but many of us are in a rush every day to earn a good commission,” he said. “We also come across aggressive drivers of private cars who do not respect other drivers and the road rules.”

According to Mr Edelmann, a driver’s mindset is the most important factor for road safety in the UAE.

“Our role is to behave well while on the roads by adhering to the rules and watching out for each other,” he said.