Dubai has marked a significant milestone in road safety, reporting an unprecedented 90% reduction in traffic fatalities from 2007 to 2024, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police. This remarkable achievement showcases the emirate’s commitment to its vision of becoming one of the world’s safest cities for road users.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, highlighted that the fatality rate has dramatically decreased from 21.7 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2007 to an impressive 1.8 in 2024. This success is attributed to the implementation of the comprehensive Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy 2022-2026, which encompasses 53 joint initiatives and programs.
Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, emphasized that the achievement results from the following —
- extensive public awareness campaigns
- strategic enforcement measures
The authorities have recorded and addressed over 145,000 violations involving delivery motorcycles and 40,000 violations related to bicycles and e-scooters, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining strict safety standards.
The strategy’s success relies on four main pillars —
- Enforcement
- Roads and Vehicles Engineering
- Traffic Awareness
- Systems & Management
Key initiatives include the following —
- establishment of a Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit
- implementation of advanced traffic management systems
- the development of smart solutions for monitoring high-risk locations
Awareness campaigns have been crucial, reaching over 255,000 people in 2024 alone, with educational videos garnering more than 117 million views. The authorities have also focused on infrastructure improvements, installing 54 raised pedestrian crossings and upgrading multiple sites to enhance safety for soft mobility users.
The achievement positions Dubai among global leaders in traffic safety, with the emirate now working towards its ambitious “Zero Fatalities” vision. This initiative’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of combining —
- strategic planning
- advanced technology
- public awareness in creating safer roads for all users
