50% reduction in accidents on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Emirates Roads

The Roads and Transport Authority and the Dubai Police General Command achieved record positive results following the implementation of the policy of expanding the ban on the movement of trucks on Emirates Road. The Authority explained that the decision to ban the movement of trucks on Emirates Road in the part located between Al Awir Street and the Emirate of Sharjah heading towards Sharjah during the evening peak hours from 05:30 to 08:00 pm, which began to be implemented on January 1, 2025, came within plans to expand the scope of the ban on some of the pivotal streets in Dubai, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion and enhancing safety levels. Traffic.

The policy of expanding the ban on truck movement contributed to enhancing the flow of traffic and raising irrigation safety levels on the main streets, especially on Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The most prominent results were a decrease in the number of traffic accidents to only 37 accidents in 2025 compared to 75 accidents in 2024. The results also showed an improvement in the percentage of trucks’ compliance with the ban periods towards Sharjah by 7.7% on Emirates Road, and 5% on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in June 2025 compared to November 2024, in addition to an increase in the average speed of vehicles by 26 km/hour on Emirates Road. And 19 km/hour on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road since the ban was implemented, which reflects a tangible improvement in the flow of traffic and a reduction in journey times.

The Authority indicated that the number of traffic permits issued during the ban periods on the two roads decreased by 97%, which reflects an increase in the level of compliance with the new procedures and standards for issuing permits, thus achieving a better balance in distributing truck traffic on alternative roads.

Hussein Al-Banna, Executive Director of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “Implementing the ban comes within the strategy of expanding the truck movement ban with the aim of reducing traffic congestion at peak times, raising the level of traffic safety, and enhancing the smooth flow of movement on Dubai’s roads. The decision came in coordination with our strategic partners at the Dubai Police General Command, the Department of Economy and Tourism, DP World, and Dubai Airports.”

Al-Banna stressed that adjusting truck traffic times on roads in Dubai is subject to careful engineering and technical studies in coordination with partners, taking into account vehicle density, traffic volume, traffic accident statistics, and urban development on both sides of the roads, in addition to evaluating the efficiency of alternative roads to accommodate logistical movement.

The Authority is working in cooperation with the Dubai Police General Command and the relevant authorities to educate heavy vehicle drivers and truck owners about the ban times and alternative routes, by installing information signs at the beginning and end of the ban areas, and launching media and radio awareness campaigns in several languages ​​across various media and social media platforms, to ensure an effective and smooth implementation of the new procedures and achieve the best results.

Reducing interference between heavy and small vehicles
Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, said that the decision to ban trucks on Emirates Road towards the Emirate of Sharjah during the evening peak period that began in January 2025 came after an extensive study of engineering and technical standards, which ensure achieving a balance between safety requirements and transportation needs. He stressed that the decision included prohibiting the movement of trucks at specific times on Emirates Road, especially in the evening period, where heavy traffic is witnessed, stressing that the main goal of the decision is to reduce traffic accidents resulting from interference between trucks. and small vehicles, as well as alleviating traffic congestion on vital streets.

Major General Saif Al Mazrouei explained that the decision contributed to improving traffic safety and reducing truck-related accident rates during peak times. It also enhanced the flow of traffic and reduced traffic congestion on vital streets such as Emirates Road, in addition to supporting environmental sustainability by reducing congestion due to fuel consumption and emissions of polluting gases.

Major General Al Mazrouei said that the new traffic measures taken on Emirates Road are a proactive step aimed at providing a safer and more efficient traffic environment. With the commitment of truck drivers and transport company owners to the decision, the desired goals can be achieved without affecting logistics services or the economy. He stressed the success of this initiative through everyone’s commitment to their role to ensure that the ban is implemented smoothly and effectively and that the desired goals are achieved to ensure a safe and comfortable traffic environment for all road users.