Latest news with #RoadSafetyUAE
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Women drivers on the rise; less involved in road accidents
Dubai streets are seeing a significant rise in the number of female drivers, reflecting broader social and mobility trends throughout the emirate. According to the Ministry of Interior's open data, in 2024, a total of 105,568 driving licences were issued to women, compared to just 6,903 licences issued to men. In total, 161,704 new driving licences were issued to women throughout 2024, according to official figures. This comes alongside 221,382 new licences issued to men during the same year across the UAE. Licencing figures across the emirates Official figures show that a total of 383,086 new driving licences were issued across the UAE in 2024. Of these, 161,704 licences were granted to women, while 221,382 went to men. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Other emirates saw a rise in licences issued to men. In Abu Dhabi, around 147,334 new licences were issued last year. Male drivers accounted for 120,363, while female drivers received 26,971 new licences. Sharjah saw 65,195 new licences issued in 2024, with 15,653 granted to women and 49,542 to men. Female driving behaviour and safety According to data from RoadSafetyUAE, female drivers in the UAE are statistically less involved in road accidents. The report highlights that women tend to exhibit safer driving habits, including effective time management, and, to a lesser extent, better seatbelt use, reduced road rage, and less mobile phone usage. Additionally, women demonstrate stronger adherence to traffic laws and display fewer aggressive behaviours while driving. Previous studies referenced on the platform show that men are disproportionately represented in accident and violation statistics, while women remain underrepresented in major traffic offences. As reported previously by Khaleej Times, Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, said, 'Women drivers often don't receive the due appreciation for their driving behaviour. Gender prejudice still seems to play a role; however, an overall, more careful attitude can be observed while analysing the behaviour of UAE lady drivers in most of the critical dimensions of safe driving.' Driving through traffic In an interview with Khaleej Times, Halima, a 27-year-old resident of Dubai who obtained her driver's licence in 2016, said that she generally adheres to traffic rules and prioritises safety while driving. 'I don't receive many fines during the year; at most, I get around four. I pay them right away because I don't like letting them accumulate,' she said. Halima also noted that traffic congestion is a daily challenge for her, as she commutes from her home in Al Barsha to her workplace in Deira. 'The traffic can be frustrating and stressful. Many drivers try to cut in even when the space is too narrow. I usually just honk several times, I'm concerned for my safety,' she added. She further stated that throughout her years of driving, she has been involved in two minor traffic accidents, in which the other parties were at fault.
Arabian Business
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
Driving
Data from RoadSafetyUAE indicates that many local motorists believe there to be less dangerous behaviour on the country's roads
The National
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Dubai's Salik reports 9% more vehicles on the roads as profits soar
Dubai's roads are getting busier, with the emirate's toll operator on Tuesday reporting more vehicles on its system, increased journeys and surging profits. Salik said the number of registered active vehicles, including motorcycles, increased 9.3 per cent year-on-year to 4.47 million. There was a 7.3 per cent increase in registered drivers for the same period. In its report for the first three months of 2025, the toll operator said it recorded 210.8 million trips, up 35.1 per cent year-on-year. Total revenue was up 33.7 per cent to Dh751.6 million, while net profit increased 33.7 per cent year-on-year to Dh370.6 million. Toll usage fees represented 88.6 per cent of revenue. Salik said new toll prices that came into force in January, the addition of two toll gates last November, and the continued tourism boom in Dubai all contributed. According to the Ministry of Interior, 383,086 new driving licences were issued in 2024 and Dubai's Statistics Centre population clock showed 3.93 million on Tuesday – up from 3.73 million on the same day last year. Road safety experts said the figures were a testimony to the emirate's increasing popularity but it was important to consider how to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads. 'More people means more vehicles which means more traffic which means more congestion,' said Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE. 'Now if even the toll roads are getting more frequency … it is just another testimony to the ever-increasing popularity of the UAE.' Mr Edelmann said solutions could include more working from home, staggering the hours of offices and schools, carpooling and an incentive system for pupils to use buses. Urban planning could also have a role to play. He pointed to Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers as an example of a place where people do not have to drive from office to apartment. He also said the plan to develop car-free parts of Dubai was important. 'The UAE is just popular,' he said. Dr Aseel Takshe, acting dean of the school of environment and health sciences at Canadian University Dubai, said other solutions could include building more park-and-ride facilities near public transport stations, adopting variable speed limits to smooth out traffic flow, and using smartphone apps to inform commuters of delays and alternative routes. 'By combining these strategies – investing in public transport, leveraging technology and encouraging behavioural shifts – cities can effectively tackle rising traffic congestion and improve urban mobility,' said Dr Takshe. The new Salik toll gates were installed at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and in Al Safa South, on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street. They increased the number of Salik toll gates in the emirate to 10. At the end of January, the cost for drivers to pass through the gates rose from Dh4 to Dh6 during peak hours. Salik has also teamed up with Emaar and Parkonic on parking at sites such as Dubai Mall. The toll operator said total revenue from this reached Dh2.8 million. Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of Salik's board of directors, said the 'exceptional' performance reflected a continued focus on 'delivering long-term value to shareholders and our ambition to become a global leader in providing smart and sustainable mobility solutions'. 'Dubai's robust economic growth – driven by the visionary leadership of the emirate, has played a key role in fuelling our positive momentum and creating a strong foundation for long-term sustainable growth,' he said. Ibrahim Al Haddad, chief executive of Salik, said the core tolling business was 'bolstered by the opening of two new toll gates in late 2024'. 'We have also maintained progress in our ancillary revenue streams, with both the Dubai Mall and Parkonic parking partnerships seeing good traction with users in the first quarter,' he said. Salik also announced it is in the process of launching an additional revenue stream, the Customized Tags initiative, allowing corporate customers to personalise their Salik tags with designs and messages.
The National
11-04-2025
- The National
Dubai Police share video of biker arrested for dangerous stunts
Dubai Police on Friday released a video of a motorcyclist who was arrested for performing dangerous stunts on the emirate's roads. The video shows the biker appearing to take both hands off the handlebars to make various gestures while travelling at high speeds. Police said the biker's stunts put himself and others in danger 'Dubai Police have arrested a reckless rider seen performing dangerous stunts on his motorcycle at dangerously high speeds in viral social media videos, disregarding traffic laws and public safety,' a post on X reads. 'Under Decree No. (30) of 2023 regarding vehicle impoundment, a release fee may be imposed, with fines reaching up to fifty thousand dirhams.' Motorists convicted in such circumstances must pay Dh50,000 to have a seized vehicle released. If this fee is not paid, the vehicle will be put up for auction. It comes a week after Abu Dhabi Police shared dramatic footage of a motorway crash caused by drivers abruptly switching lanes, to highlight the dangers of flouting the rules of the road. The force released a 30-second video showing drivers darting between lanes, initially narrowly avoiding a serious accident. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 60kph will lead to a fine of Dh2,000 and 12 black points, as well as vehicle confiscation for 30 days. Lesser speeding offences also carry penalties, reflecting the importance of adhering to set limits. Speeding by no more than 30kph over the maximum speed limit results in a Dh300 fine and no black points. Drivers and motorcyclists who run through red lights risk a fine of Dh1,000 and 12 black points, while heavy vehicle drivers face a fine of Dh3,000 and a one-year licence suspension for the same offence. Black points are penalties given to drivers for serious breaches of road regulations. The number of points given depends on the offence. If a driver receives 24 black points within the space of 12 months, their licence is suspended. The length of the suspension is decided based on the severity of the rule breaches. There are 143 federal traffic laws listed on the Dubai Police website, with varying penalties including fines, black points, vehicle confiscation and licence suspension. They apply to all Emirates. If your vehicle is impounded, there are additional fees to release it. These can reach up to Dh100,000, depending on the offence. It comes as traffic accidents in the UAE increased by 8 per cent last year, with 4,748 recorded across the country, compared to 4,391 in 2023, figures from the Ministry of Interior show. According to Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, the increasing number of accidents is linked to population growth, more drivers and heavier traffic congestion. Mr Edelmann also drew attention to poor road etiquette and added that indicators are often not used when drivers change direction. He said focused education on proper signalling is needed. 'Earlier studies by Road Safety UAE showed that indicators are only used in about 50 per cent of manoeuvres, and even less among younger drivers,' he said. 'It is the law to always use indicators to signal intent. Without this communication, the safety of the driver and others is compromised.'
The National
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Abu Dhabi Police share crash video to warn drivers against sudden swerving
Abu Dhabi Police on Friday shared dramatic footage of a motorway crash caused by drivers abruptly switching lanes, to highlight the dangers of flouting the rules of the road. The force released a 30-second video showing drivers darting between lanes, initially narrowly avoiding a serious accident. The footage culminates with a collision between two cars as they both suddenly swerve into the left lane – also known as the overtaking or fast lane. One of the cars is sent careering into a road barrier, while the other driver veers into the middle of the road, into the path of other drivers. Police said such behaviour puts the lives of fellow road users at risk and warned that offenders face heavy punishments under the law. Drivers who drive in a manner which 'endangers the life of the driver or the lives, safety, or security of others' can be hit with a Dh2,000 fine, have up to 23 black points imposed on their licence and have their vehicle impounded for 60 days. Drivers must pay Dh50,000 to have a seized vehicle released. If this fee is not paid, the car will be put up for auction. Abu Dhabi Police regularly posts footage on social media of motorists causing accidents by flouting traffic rules, to raise awareness of the serious consequences of reckless driving. Traffic accidents in the UAE increased by 8 per cent last year, with 4,748 recorded across the country, compared to 4,391 in 2023, figures from the Ministry of Interior show. According to Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, the increasing number of accidents is linked to population growth, more drivers and heavier traffic congestion. Mr Edelmann also drew attention to poor road etiquette and added that indicators are often not used when drivers change direction. He said focused education on proper signalling is needed. 'Earlier studies by Road Safety UAE showed that indicators are only used in about 50 per cent of manoeuvres, and even less among younger drivers,' he said. 'It is the law to always use indicators to signal intent. Without this communication, the safety of the driver and others is compromised.'
