New truck restrictions on Emirates Road

In a bid to improve traffic flow and enhance road safety, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police have announced a new restriction on truck movement along Emirates Road.

Effective from January, 1, 2025, trucks will be prohibited from using the section of Emirates Road between Al Awir Street and Sharjah during evening peak hours, specifically from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

This measure is part of a broader strategy by the RTA to expand truck movement bans on key roads throughout Dubai, aiming to reduce congestion, enhance traffic safety, and improve the overall capacity of vital roadways.

The restriction aligns with similar bans already in place, including those on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road during morning and evening rush hours, and other significant roads during peak periods.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, emphasised that the decision followed a comprehensive study of engineering and technical standards to balance safety with transportation needs.

The main objective of the ban is to minimize accidents resulting from the overlap between trucks and smaller vehicles during high-traffic periods. By easing congestion, the measure is expected to improve road safety and traffic flow on Emirates Road, especially in the direction of Sharjah.

Al Mazrouei also noted that public awareness campaigns would be launched to inform truck drivers and transport company owners of the new restrictions. These efforts will include road signs, media channels, and social media campaigns. He stressed the importance of compliance, warning that violators would face fines for non-compliance. 

The RTA’s efforts to regulate truck movement are part of a larger initiative to improve traffic conditions across Dubai. According to Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, the expansion of truck movement restrictions aims to alleviate congestion during peak hours, increase road safety, and streamline traffic flow across Dubai’s road network. 

In addition to the truck movement restrictions, the RTA has also focused on developing infrastructure to support truck drivers.

Since mid-2023, the RTA has been working on a developmental plan to establish 19 new truck rest areas across key roads, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Emirates Road, Dubai-Hatta Road, and Dubai-Al Ain Road. These rest areas, covering over 300,000 square meters, will accommodate around 1,000 trucks and heavy vehicles, offering essential services to ensure the safety and well-being of drivers.

The plan also includes the construction of three integrated stations with facilities such as fuel stations, maintenance workshops, motels, restaurants, prayer rooms, and even clinics. These stations aim to enhance driver comfort, promote safety, and provide vital support to the logistics sector, further contributing to the smooth and efficient movement of goods across the emirates.