Traffic Speeds Raised on Dubai Highways After New Truck Restrictions

Average vehicle speeds on two of Dubai’s most travelled highways have increased significantly following the introduction of stricter movement restrictions for heavy trucks. According to recent figures from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police, traffic is now moving approximately 26 km/h faster on Emirates Road and 19 km/h faster on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road since the rules took effect. The restriction, enforced from January 1st, 2025, bans trucks from using a key section of Emirates Road—between Al Awir Road and the Sharjah border—from 5:30 pm to 8 pm during peak hours. The regulation is part of a broader strategy to reduce congestion and improve road-safety outcomes on major corridors. Authorities report that the number of traffic incidents on the two highways has fallen by roughly 50%, with 37 recorded incidents so far in 2025 compared to 75 in 2024. Compliance with the new timing rules has also improved, with a 7.7 % rise in adherence on Emirates Road and a 5 % rise on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road between November 2024 and June 2025. The number of permits issued to trucks during the restricted hours dropped by 97 %.