Ramadan and selfish driving

It's the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and here in Dubai we are fasting and
contemplating the universe.  Even among us non-Muslims there's a sense of
something special and we try to work ourselves into the national mindset.
Giving to charity, helping the poor and needy and generally being a good
human are a big part of the mood.  And so yesterday in a country plagued by
selfish and senseless driving I was horrified to see perhaps the worst
example yet of this kind of behavior made somehow worse by its being
Ramadan.

Two large fire engines, lights flashing, sirens blaring, were working their
way through heavy traffic coming up to a set of lights at a busy
intersection.  Where possible cars were (eventually) pulling to one side and
making space for them to come through.  As they approached the lights
several cars pulled aside leaving a clear space for them both to come
through on their mission and clear the lights quickly.  Just as they reached
the lights a Landcruiser containing a respectable looking middle aged couple
pulled out of the traffic queue in front of the leading fire engine and shot
through the lights accelerating rapidly.  The lights were red at the
time... This caused the leading  fire engine to brake suddenly and the
following truck to all but rear end the first.

Even though we are all used to seeing arrogant and incompetent driving every
day here I have to say this behaviour shocked me.  I also confess to feeling
a stab of very Ramadan inappropriate thought in hoping it was their house
that was burning.