Abu Dhabi: New traffic rules for delivery drivers

Image credit: Twitter | ITC

The Joint Committee for Traffic Safety in Abu Dhabi has released a comprehensive plan to make roads safer in light of the increase in traffic on Abu Dhabi’s roads. The plan addresses the increase in two-wheeler traffic and related accidents as businesses deploy motorcycle delivery drivers.

According to the plan, delivery motorcyclists have been banned from using the fast lanes and will only be permitted to use the right lane on roads with speed limits of 100 km/h and above. On three- and four-lane roads of 100km/h and above speed limits, they will be permitted to use only the two tracks from the right side while being permitted to use three tracks from the right side on a five-lane road.

The committee was presided by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, including the Integrated Transport Centre, the General Command of the Abu Dhabi Police, and the Department of Health, which launched a comprehensive plan to enhance traffic safety for delivery motorcyclists.

Under the umbrella of the Joint Committee for Traffic Safety, new regulatory procedures and decisions have been introduced to allow delivery bikes to ride exclusively on the right lanes of roads with a speed limit of 100 km/h and above… pic.twitter.com/ganyxFrL5b

— “ITC” مركز النقل المتكامل (@ITCAbuDhabi) June 19, 2023

Regulating traffic in Abu Dhabi

The committee noted the decision is in line with the framework aiming to regulate traffic movement on roads and maintain a high level of safety for all road users by limiting dangerous driving incidents. This includes speeding – particularly on busy roads and highways – and disregarding traffic, road instructions, and signals. In addition to driving on the wrong side of the road, sudden lane swerving and failure to properly use turn signals.

The committee has set up an initiative to develop partnerships with companies operating in the delivery sector by fine-tuning the level of qualification, education and providing continuous training for drivers and motorcyclists working in this sector.

The plan also consists of establishing designated parking areas for delivery bikes, with more than 2,800 parking spots in Abu Dhabi and 200 in Al Ain.

There will also be a number of initiatives during summer, aimed at improving the quality of life of delivery bike drivers and easing the hot atmosphere by providing them with permanent rest stops in carefully selected spots, which will be launched in Abu Dhabi as the first phase.

The ITC has also provided parking permits for (6) buses designated as temporary rest stops for delivery drivers in Abu Dhabi City, Khalifa City, Mohamed bin Zayed City, Shakhbout City and the Shahama Area.

The committee said the plan was launched following several local studies that looked in to the causes of traffic accidents where drivers and bikers working in the delivery sector were involved.

The plan will be carried out in conjunction with reviews of the current evaluation and training standards for drivers applying for a professional license in Abu Dhabi, in accordance with the best practices, leading to the launch of an integrated high-quality plan that is being applied at different stages.

In recent news, Abu Dhabi introduced new speed limits  to regulate traffic on some of its key roads.

Read: Abu Dhabi: New speed limit to kick in on June 7 on this road

The speed limit on Abu Dhabi’s Sweihan Road — from Al Falah Bridge towards Abu Dhabi International Airport — was lowered to 120kmph from 140 140kmph from June 4.

In April, Abu Dhabi Police introduced a new minimum speed limit of 120km/h on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road starting April 1 and from May 1 violators  are being fined Dhs400.

Also read: Dubai police issue 4,935 fines in 72 hours as new traffic rules take effect