In Dubai, the number of traffic-related fatalities and incidents has seen a significant decrease of over 90% over the past 18 years, as revealed by recent statistics.
The figures indicate that road deaths plummeted by more than 91%, reducing from 21.7 per 100,000 residents in 2007 to just 1.8 in 2024. Fatalities among pedestrians decreased from 9.5 to 0.3, while the overall rate of deaths and serious injuries fell from 36.2 to 4. The rate of deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles also saw a decline from 4.2 to 0.45.
This information was disclosed during a meeting between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police, where they reviewed advancements in the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy for 2022–2026, focusing on road safety performance metrics for 2024. The strategy is driven by a vision of ‘Zero Fatalities’.
Collaborative Efforts
Mattar Al Tayer, the Director General of RTA, emphasized the continuous collaboration between the two organizations, which has resulted in the execution of 53 joint initiatives and programs throughout 2024, significantly contributing to the reduction of fatalities.
These initiatives included the identification of 23 high-risk areas known for recurrent accidents, the installation of 54 raised pedestrian crossings, and enhancements to several locations to improve safety for vulnerable road users.
The 53 initiatives were categorized under four main pillars: 21 in road and vehicle engineering, 16 in systems and management, 11 in traffic awareness, and 5 in enforcement. Efforts are also in progress to create a smart management system for public transport drivers to boost safety in the sector.
Enforcement actions have been broadened to increase adherence at pedestrian crossings, address high-risk violations, and ensure the safe use of motorcycles, bicycles, and electric scooters.
In terms of systems and management, Dubai has introduced legislation governing autonomous vehicle operations, along with its executive regulations. Enhancements have also been made to the high-frequency incident location tracking system and the traffic incident reporting platform.
Public Awareness Initiatives
Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, highlighted that awareness campaigns have played a crucial role in achieving these positive outcomes. He noted that these campaigns have been effective in “advancing road safety” and “fostering compliance” among motorists.
<p“Eight awareness campaigns have reached over 255,000 people,” he stated. “Additionally, more than 24 educational videos were produced to highlight the serious repercussions of traffic violations, including injuries and fatalities, amassing over 117 million views.”
Collaborative efforts between RTA and Dubai Police included 19 site inspections of truck rest areas and 85 awareness workshops targeting delivery riders, engaging more than 15,000 drivers. Furthermore, pedestrian safety campaigns reached over 10,000 workers and vehicle operators.