Abu Dhabi: Speed limit on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road starts from May 1

Abu Dhabi Police has introduced a new minimum speed limit of 120km/h on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road starting April 1 and from May 1 violators face a Dhs400 fine.

Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaytoun Al Muhairi, director of the Central Operations Sector, said that the maximum speed will be 140 km/h and the minimum speed will be 120 km/h on the first and second lanes from the left.

Officials from the police confirmed that the third lane with a speed of 140km/h and the last lane for use by heavy vehicles will not include minimum speed violations.

#أخبارنا | #شرطة_أبوظبي : تطبيق “السرعة الدُنيا” على طريق الشيخ محمد بن راشد بداية أبريل 2023

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“Implementing the minimum speed is aimed at boosting road safety. It will urge slow vehicles to use appropriate lanes,” said Al Muhairi in a social media post. The minimum and maximum speed limit will be displayed on sign boards above the highway.

Abu Dhabi traffic system initiatives

Meanwhile, the new speed limits in Abu Dhabi come a month after the implementation of the bilateral linkage of the traffic systems across the GCC.

Read: UAE and Qatar link traffic systems

The inauguration of a bilateral linkage of traffic systems between Gulf states paved the way for the application of a flat policy across the region on penalties for violators and motorists will be liable for fines committed in any state.

Over the years, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have introduced several initiatives to advance traffic safety. Abu Dhabi Police launched an SMS alerts campaign in September 2022  to encourage positive driving behaviour by issuing warnings for minor traffic violations.

In  November last year, Abu Dhabi Police announced the speed limit reduction on a key road connecting Abu Dhabi to Al Ain. The speed limit on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road — on the section from Al Sad bridge to Al Amera bridge — was reduced from 160 kilometres an hour to 140kph.

Dubai: RTA close a major bridge

Meanwhile, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said that Al Maktoum Bridge, which connects Bur Dubai and Deira, will be partially closed to traffic during the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan from 1:00 am to 6:00 am.

RTA urged motorists to use alternative routes to reach their destinations easily while sharing alternative routes that include Al Garhoud Bridge, Business Bay Bridge, Al Shindagha Tunnel and The Infinity Bridge.

In other news, starting January 12, RTA reduced the speed limit on Dubai-Hatta Road in the sector extending between Dubai, Ajman and Al Hosn Roundabout from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. The zone covers approximately 6 kilometres.

Read: Dubai: RTA reduces speed limit on Dubai-Hatta Road

The speed reduction was made in coordination between RTA and Dubai Police Headquarters, based on a study that took into consideration the Hatta Master Development Plan.