Dubai’s truck restrictions cut congestion, boost traffic flow

Dubai’s expanded truck-movement restrictions on Emirates Road have delivered positive results, cutting traffic incidents and speeding up travel times.

Since the rule came into effect in January, limiting truck movement towards Sharjah (the section between Al Awir Road and Sharjah) during evening peak hours (5:30 PM to 8:00 PM), traffic incidents dropped from 75 last year to 37 in 2025.

Compliance among truck drivers also improved significantly, while permits issued during restricted hours fell by 97 per cent.

Average vehicle speeds increased by 26 km/h on Emirates Road and 19 km/h on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, easing congestion and reducing travel times.

The initiative, led by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in coordination with Dubai Police, is part of a broader strategy to improve road safety and traffic flow.

Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency said that adjusting truck-movement hours on Dubai’s roads is based on detailed engineering and technical studies.

These studies take into account traffic volumes, incident statistics and urban development along the corridors, in addition to assessing the capacity of alternative routes to accommodate logistics movements.

"In addition to enhancing traffic flow and easing bottlenecks, the initiative supports environmental sustainability by reducing congestion-related fuel consumption and emissions," added Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police.

#RTA and Dubai Police General Headquarters announced record positive results following the implementation of the expanded truck-movement restriction on Emirates Road. RTA stated that the decision to limit truck movement on Emirates Road (specifically the section between Al Awir… pic.twitter.com/0IT3eS27J1

— RTA (@rta_dubai) November 19, 2025