Transport authority pairs road redesigns with targeted school campaigns as survey reveals 47% of pupils commute by private car
DUBAI — September 1, 2026: Dubai has maintained a 16-year record of zero traffic fatalities in school zones since 2010, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Tuesday while launching its safety campaign for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The safety push aligns with the Ministry of Interior’s federal campaign, focusing on high-density school districts across the emirate where morning and afternoon congestion peak.
An RTA survey of over 20,000 parents conducted during the 2025–2026 school year revealed that 47 percent of pupils commute by private car, while 44 percent use dedicated school buses. The remaining nine percent walk, use public transit, or rely on individual and shared mobility services. The survey showed that 91 percent of parents utilize authorized pick-up and drop-off bays, with 71 percent fully aware of local parking and transit rules.
Hussain Al Banna, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, credited civil engineering improvements and continuous public awareness for the unblemished safety record since 2010.
Engineers have redesigned school zone access points across Dubai, installing speed-calming humps, clear road markings, pedestrian signals, and dedicated boarding zones to prevent blind spots.
For the new academic year, RTA is reintroducing tailored educational initiatives across classrooms:
- “Hello, My School” for kindergarten and primary pupils.
- “Golden Rules for Generations’ Safety” for intermediate learners.
- “Virtual Driving Licence” workshops targeting secondary school students.
The programs instruct children on negotiating crosswalks, wearing seat belts, and steering clear of the perimeter danger zones around heavy buses.
Al Banna urged motorists to drop dangerous practices outside school gates, particularly double parking, roadside drop-offs in active traffic lanes, and mobile phone use. Drivers must lower speeds near school gates, yield to pedestrians, and expect sudden crossings between parked cars.
