UAE: Stricter Car Ownership Rules Proposed To Ease Traffic Between Dubai, Sharjah

Vehicle growth in Dubai has exceeded 8 per cent, a figure well above the global rate of 2 per cent, said the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Describing this surge as abnormal, Suhail Al Mazrouei emphasised the need for updated policies and legislation surrounding vehicle ownership and registration to address the issue.

“The Ministry requested that the issue be included in the UAE Government's Annual Meetings to mobilise efforts and enhance coordination with local authorities,” said Al Mazrouei.

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Al Mazrouei also explained that the Ministry is leading a team, which includes representatives from local governments and the Ministry of Interior, to study the problem in-depth. The Ministry has already proposed several potential solutions to the Cabinet, working closely with local entities to develop a comprehensive plan.

Among the proposed measures are improvements to the road corridors connecting Dubai with other emirates, development of new roadways, and better integration of mass transit systems across the country. The Ministry also suggested introducing new modes of public transportation to help ease the strain on the road network.

Al Mazrouei's comments came in response to a question from FNC member Adnan Al Hammadi, who voiced concerns about the increasing traffic congestion between Dubai and Sharjah.

Al Hammadi pointed out that, over a year ago, the minister had informed him that studies had been completed, and engineering solutions would be implemented by the second half of 2024 to alleviate congestion. However, with traffic continuing to worsen, Al Hammadi sought clarification on the current status of these efforts.

In response, the minister clarified, "Development work on key federal corridors started in 2024 and is currently ongoing."

However, Al Hammadi noted that this update had already been provided over a year and a half ago. "When will we see these solutions in real life?" he questioned, stressing the urgent need for visible, tangible progress.

Al Hammadi also expressed concern over the legislative approach, pointing out that it focuses mainly on regulating traffic movement without addressing the underlying causes of congestion, such as urban development and the rising volume of vehicles.

He explained that while Dubai's vehicle growth rate is 8 per cent, the total vehicle increase in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain stands at a staggering 23 per cent. This, he said, is a serious concern for the region.

He also highlighted the staggering number of cars entering Dubai daily -1.2 million, up from 850,000 a year and a half ago - and the fact that the Dubai Traffic and Licensing Department issues about 4,000 new driver's licences each day. "How can we find effective solutions to this crisis?" he asked.

Additionally, Al Hammadi pointed out the significant time wasted due to congestion, citing that employees commuting the 15km distance between Dubai and Sharjah spend roughly 460 hours a year in traffic - equivalent to 60 working days or one-third of the total working days in a year. "This is a constant and painful issue for all road users, and we need prompt solutions," he said.

Despite raising these concerns multiple times, Al Hammadi expressed frustration that no "sufficient or satisfying solution" had been put into action. "As an FNC member, my role is not to propose solutions but to convey the concerns and requests of the public," he stated.

The FNC member also shared how many federal employees, particularly Emiratis, are facing significant challenges due to the traffic. Some are forced to wait in mosques, parking lots, and cafes for traffic to ease. He also pointed out that others have been forced to rent temporary apartments or shared residences closer to their offices in Dubai to avoid the long commutes. "We are tired of this issue and are in need of a swift solution," he added.

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