Dubai Police roll out three new strategies to transform road safety
Digital tools support police plans to enhance safety and reduce violations
DUBAI – Dubai Police have introduced three newly aligned strategies designed to strengthen road safety and reduce accidents across the emirate.
The framework combines a joint approach with the Roads and Transport Authority, a specialised plan to cut crash rates, and a strategy dedicated to building a safer and more compliant traffic environment. The three-tier structure reflects the force’s push towards smarter traffic management as Dubai continues to grow at pace.
The plans were reviewed during a visit by Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, to the General Department of Traffic as part of the annual inspection programme. He was accompanied by Major General Hareb Muhammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Sector, Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs, and senior officers.
Strategy goals
During the inspection, the Traffic Department presented wide-ranging progress under the new strategies. These achievements included joining the International organisation for the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction known as ACTAR, gaining international accreditation from IDEALEST, and certifying four ACTAR experts among Dubai Police personnel. The department has also completed innovative projects such as the smart operations room and registered twenty intellectual works related to safe driving and road safety.
Digital systems
Upcoming digital initiatives formed a major part of the new strategy package. Dubai Police highlighted a unified smart system to manage traffic violations, the Wasl project that connects traffic systems with local partners, a new centralised digital platform for fines, and a driver behaviour monitoring system designed to improve analysis and enforcement. Another project, Area 56, will offer a complete digital environment to support traffic operations and real-time decision making.
Safety efforts
Dubai Police continue to expand patrols and raise awareness across the emirate as traffic volumes rise. With Dubai’s population estimated at around 8.55 million people in 2024, officers noted that managing daily traffic remains a major challenge. Last year, 157 people lost their lives in traffic accidents. The leading causes included sudden swerving, failure to maintain a safe distance, negligence, stopping in the middle of the road, and running red lights.
The Traffic Department’s safety messages reached more than twenty million people through digital and field channels. Social media content alone generated more than one point eight billion views in 2024, highlighting the impact of online communication in supporting the new behavioural strategy.
Regional links
Dubai Police have also activated electronic integration with traffic systems in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, enabling faster exchange of information and smoother processing of traffic violations between the UAE and neighbouring states. This forms part of the enforcement pillar of the new strategies, strengthening cross-border compliance.
Rider campaigns
Targeted campaigns for delivery motorcycle riders were launched in cooperation with government and private partners. These efforts resulted in a 19.4 per cent rise in recorded violations in 2024, reaching 27,353 offences. The campaigns were introduced in response to the growing number of delivery riders on city roads and are aligned with Dubai Police’s broader plans to enhance safety for high-risk groups.
Future readiness
The department also addressed challenges linked to the increasing number of vehicles, Dubai’s expanding population, and the future introduction of self-driving cars. Officials confirmed readiness to adopt proactive smart solutions that support Dubai Police’s vision for 2033, which aims for zero fatalities on the roads. Lieutenant General Al Marri praised the efforts of the Traffic Department and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to improving safety through planning, partnerships, modern technologies, and continuous awareness campaigns.