Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
UAE motorists overwhelmingly support enhanced public transport systems, broader road networks and flexible working hours as the most effective ways to combat daily traffic congestion, according to a new nationwide survey conducted by RoadSafetyUAE in collaboration with Al Wathba Insurance.
The study, which polled 1,021 drivers across the country in June 2025, found that 83% of respondents advocate expanding the UAE’s rail and bus network, with work-from-home incentives and increased highway capacity also emerging as top solutions to the country's growing mobility challenges.
Nationwide, 86% of drivers say they “typically” find themselves stuck in traffic. In Abu Dhabi, respondents say they experience congestion, particularly during their afternoon commute from work, their morning trips to offices, and morning school drop-offs.
When asked about the root causes of traffic congestion, two-thirds of participants cited “too many vehicles on the road”. More than half attributed it to uniform office start times, while nearly 50% pointed to simultaneous school runs and a high dependence on private cars. Other issues included poor driving behaviour and under-utilised carpooling.
Speaking to Aletihad, RoadSafetyUAE founder Thomas Edelmann noted that public transport has long been recognised by experts as an effective way to reduce road congestion, but now the general public is echoing that sentiment.
“Public transportation such as trams and metros was introduced in cities like Paris, London, and Vienna decades ago,” he said.
Sharing a personal example, Edelmann said: “In my hometown, Vienna, a metro line was extended into what was essentially no man’s land. We need more of this — metro, rail, and tram links — to address our growing traffic.”
Muralikrishnan Raman, Chief Financial Officer at Al Wathba Insurance, said the survey aimed to “elevate the discussion from anecdotal evidence to a fact-based and well-researched approach.”
Edelmann added that the findings are meant to assist “concerned authorities and stakeholders in understanding public perception about traffic congestion, the reasons behind it, and where improvements should be focused”.
According to the study, rail infrastructure expansion is seen as the single most effective remedy for traffic woes, followed closely by remote working policies, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that flexible office timings could quickly ease peak-hour pressure if implemented more widely.
RoadSafetyUAE is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting road safety through education, awareness, and collaboration. It regularly partners with public and private sector entities to advocate safer driving practices and infrastructure improvements across the Emirates.
