UAE Road Traffic Fatalities Fall 74% Since 2011

Road traffic fatalities in the UAE have fallen by 74% since 2011, according to the Ministry of Interior, which attributed the decline to stricter enforcement, advanced technology, improved infrastructure and sustained road safety campaigns.

The ministry highlighted the figures during a high-level road safety meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, describing the progress as the result of a comprehensive road safety framework that combines stronger governance, updated legislation, artificial intelligence-powered monitoring systems, continuous infrastructure improvements and nationwide awareness initiatives.

According to ministry data, sudden swerving was the leading cause of road accidents in 2025, accounting for 905 crashes across the country. Authorities said improving driver behaviour, expanding smart monitoring systems and strengthening public awareness campaigns remain key priorities.

Road safety indicators have also improved significantly in Dubai over the past two decades. The emirate's road fatality rate declined from 21.7 deaths per 100,000 people in 2007 to 1.8 in 2024, while pedestrian fatalities fell from 9.5 to 0.3 per 100,000 people over the same period. The combined rate of fatalities and serious injuries also dropped from 36.2 to 4 per 100,000 people, while deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles decreased from 4.2 to 0.45.

As part of its long-term road safety strategy, Dubai Police said it is developing unified smart systems for processing traffic violations, digital platforms linked to driver behaviour monitoring and advanced traffic management tools, while working towards its 2033 goal of eliminating road traffic fatalities.