A new study has revealed that 86% of UAE residents typically experience traffic congestion, with the situation worsening for 80% of respondents compared to last year. The findings are part of a wide-reaching survey conducted in June 2025 by an international online research agency, commissioned jointly by Al Wathba Insurance and RoadSafetyUAE.
The data highlights that traffic is most often encountered during afternoon and morning work commutes as well as morning school runs, signalling that routine weekday travel remains a key stress point for residents.
In a breakdown by emirate, Dubai and Sharjah top the list, with 91% and 90% of residents respectively reporting regular congestion. The issue appears to be escalating, particularly in Dubai, where 85% of respondents observed an increase in traffic from the previous year.
Public Perception Moves From Anecdote to Evidence
“This project aims to move the conversation about traffic beyond anecdotes and into a data-driven space,” said Muralikrishnan Raman, Chief Financial Officer at Al Wathba Insurance. “Traffic congestion affects almost everyone in the UAE. As a data-centric organisation, we felt it was crucial to work with RoadSafetyUAE to understand and address the root causes.”
Thomas Edelmann, Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE, emphasised the importance of public input in shaping future mobility plans: “We’ve seen great progress from public stakeholders over the years. This study is our way of contributing meaningfully to the national conversation.”
Causes and Contributing Factors
The survey identified the top three reasons for congestion as:
- Too many vehicles on the roads (65%)
- Office start times being concentrated (54%)
- Simultaneous school start times (48%)
Additional concerns included:
- Heavy reliance on private cars (45%)
- Poor driving behaviour
- Low vehicle occupancy
- Insufficient work-from-home policies
- Limited infrastructure for alternative transport
All these factors, especially in rapidly urbanising areas, contribute to rising congestion levels across the Emirates.
Solutions Residents Support
When asked how the situation could be improved, respondents offered practical recommendations:
- 83% support improving public transportation, particularly rail and buses
- Promoting remote work models ranked among the top solutions
- Expanding the road network remains a priority for many
These findings suggest the public is aligned with national priorities around sustainable mobility, but want to see accelerated implementation of alternatives to private car use.
What’s Next?
The findings aim to inform government stakeholders, urban planners, and transport authorities as they prepare for another summer of high traffic volumes and long-term infrastructure planning.
Full details of the survey can be found in the ‘featured’ section of RoadSafetyUAE’s official website.
With population growth and urban development continuing across the Emirates, this research serves as a timely reminder: solving the UAE’s traffic crisis requires collective insight—and urgent, data-backed action.
