DUBAI: Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads, and Transport Authority (RTA), and Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, held a coordination meeting, during which the two sides reviewed the results and indicators of the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy.
The meeting also tackled Dubai Police’s requirements for the Blue Line project of the Dubai Metro as well as the safety of public transport users.
During the meeting, Mattar Al Tayer praised the strategic partnership and excellent relationship between the RTA and Dubai Police, which contributed to enhancing the coordination and joint efforts towards achieving the objectives of the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy highlighted by reducing road traffic fatalities and ensuring the safety of various public transport means.
‘Traffic safety features high among the priorities of the Traffic Safety Strategy and RTA’s goals. RTA is keen to achieve the targeted indicators of the
Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy with its “Zero Fatalities” vision to rank Dubai the best in the world in terms of traffic safety. The traffic accident fatality rate decreased by as much as 93 percent between 2007 and 2023. RTA also strives to enhance safety and security of all mass and individual mobility means, and to develop traffic awareness and education channels for the benefit of all road users in Dubai,’ Al Tayer added.
Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri commended the strategic partnership between the General HQ of Dubai Police and the Roads and Transport Authority, which has contributed to establishing joint systems, and achieving the goals of enhanced security, safety, and traffic safety on Dubai roads.
‘The General HQ of Dubai Police is keen on boosting traffic safety to achieve Dubai’s strategic goal of being a safe and stable city characterised by solid development and prosperity, prioritising the protection of lives and properties. The traffic accident fatalities in Dubai have witnessed
a significant decrease recently, thanks to the coordination and joint efforts with strategic partners, the ongoing efforts to curb traffic incidents, and the success of continuous awareness campaigns addressing various traffic issues and challenges,’ Al Marri added.
The meeting reviewed the progress of implementing the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy 2022-2026, encompassing four main pillars: Enforcement, Roads and Vehicles Engineering, Traffic Awareness, and Systems and Management. The joint efforts resulted in achieving all annual targets for the Traffic Safety Strategy 2023. The fatality rate recorded was 1.6 deaths per 100,000 people, lower than the target of 2.0 deaths, knowing that the rate achieved last year was the lowest recorded by Dubai, making the emirate one of the best cities globally in traffic safety.
Last year, both parties implemented a series of strategic initiatives, including enhanced traffic enforcement in respect of serious violations related to pedestrian crossings, motorcycles, bicy
cles, and scooters, resulting in issuing over 500,000 violations. 32 rasied pedestrian crossings were constructed, and improvements were made at over 200 locations for users of individual mobility means. Other measures taken included studying and addressing 29 sites with recurring incidents, implementing the smart management project for public transport drivers, conducting joint traffic awareness and enforcement campaigns, and launching awareness and inspection campaigns for delivery motorcycle drivers.
The two sides delved into the requirements of Dubai Police to ensure the safety of passengers and assets of the Blue Line project extending 30 km (15 km underground route), featuring 14 stations (9 elevated and 5 underground). The Blue Line connects with the Red Line at Centrepoint Station and the Green Line at Al Khor Station, serving 9 vital areas with a population projected to hit one million by 2040, and providing direct connection to Dubai International Airport. Upon opening, the Blue Line is expected to
serve 200,000 passengers daily, rising to 320,000 daily by 2040. It will serve the fifth urban centre (Dubai Silicon Oasis) according to Dubai’s Urban Plan 2040 and boost the development and economy of the emirate. It will also result in appreciation of the value of land and property around metro stations by 10-25 percent and reducing traffic congestion by 20 percent.
The meeting was attended by Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs, Major General Ahmed Thani bin Ghulaita Al Muhairi, Director of the General Department of Forensic Evidence and Criminology, and Major General Tariq Tehlak, Acting Director of the General Department of Traffic, from Dubai Police.
From RTA side Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Licensing Agency, Mohammed Yousef Al Mudharreb, CEO of Corporate Technology Support Services Sector, Hussain Al Banna, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency, and Moaza Saeed Al Marri, Executive Director of the Office of the Director General, Chairman of the Board
of Executive Directors, attended the meeting as well.
Source: Emirates News Agency