Key Points
- Pedestrian fatalities fell sharply from 9.5 to 0.3 per 100,000
- Dubai implemented 53 initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety
- 23 accident-prone locations were identified
- 21 initiatives focused on road and vehicle engineering
ISLAMABAD: Dubai has seen a remarkable transformation in road safety over the past 18 years, with road fatalities and serious traffic incidents dropping by more than 90 per cent.
Official figures reveal that road deaths have declined by 91 per cent—from 21.7 per 100,000 people in 2007 to just 1.8 in 2024. Pedestrian fatalities alone fell sharply from 9.5 to 0.3 per 100,000, while the combined rate of fatalities and serious injuries dropped from 36.2 to only 4. The death rate per 10,000 registered vehicles also fell, from 4.2 to 0.45, according to Khaleej Times.
These statistics were shared during a joint meeting between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police, held to assess the progress of the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy 2022–2026. The strategy is anchored by a visionary goal: zero fatalities on Dubai roads.
Strategic Measures
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, credited the significant improvements to sustained collaboration between the RTA and Dubai Police. In 2024 alone, they jointly implemented 53 targeted initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety and reducing fatalities.
23 accident-prone locations were identified, with improvements such as the installation of 54 raised pedestrian crossings and upgrades to infrastructure supporting soft mobility users.
Of the 53 initiatives, 21 focused on road and vehicle engineering, while 16 dealt with traffic systems and management, including the upgrade of high-frequency incident tracking and incident reporting platforms.
Technological progress
Regulations for autonomous vehicle operations were introduced, and a smart management system for public transport drivers is in development to ensure higher safety standards.
Efforts to ensure compliance around pedestrian crossings, dangerous driving behaviours, and the safe use of motorcycles, bicycles, and e-scooters were strengthened.
Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, highlighted the vital role of awareness campaigns in achieving the improved figures.
He stated that eight major campaigns reached over 255,000 people. More than 24 educational videos addressing the dangers of traffic violations were widely shared, amassing over 117 million views online.
Holistic Approach
Dubai’s strategy has combined infrastructure improvement, legislative reform, technological innovation, and community engagement to build a safer transport environment.
The multi-faceted approach, based on four strategic pillars—engineering, systems and management, awareness, and enforcement—demonstrates how long-term planning and consistent implementation can yield life-saving results.
With its ‘Zero Fatalities’ vision guiding future steps, Dubai continues to lead by example in road safety management, aiming not just to reduce traffic-related deaths, but to eliminate them entirely.
