Dubai-Sharjah Traffic Crisis: Stricter Car Rules Proposed
New policies under discussion as UAE officials tackle surging vehicle numbers
Traffic congestion between Dubai and Sharjah has reached a breaking point, with 1.2 million cars entering Dubai daily, prompting officials to explore stricter car ownership policies and better transit solutions.
Read More: How to Avoid Traffic in the UAE
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei highlighted that Dubai’s vehicle growth rate has exceeded 8%, far above the global rate of 2%.
Describing the increase as abnormal, Al Mazrouei stressed the need for new policies and legislation on vehicle ownership and registration to manage the issue.
The Ministry has proposed multiple solutions, including enhancing federal road corridors, expanding mass transit options, and exploring new public transport modes. These proposals have been submitted to the Cabinet for review.
A dedicated team—including representatives from local governments and the Ministry of Interior—is currently studying the problem in detail. Several solutions have already been proposed to the Cabinet, aiming to improve road corridors, introduce new transport modes, and integrate mass transit systems across the country.
The discussion arose in response to a question from Federal National Council (FNC) member Adnan Al Hammadi, who had raised concerns over traffic congestion more than a year ago.
“Over a year ago, we were told the ministry conducted the required studies and considered engineering resolutions to find solutions for traffic congestion on UAE roads and that the projects will be implemented during the second half of 2024—to smoothen traffic and ease congestion,” Al Hammadi reminded. “However, traffic congestion continues to escalate, so what is the ministry doing to tackle the worsening traffic between Dubai and Sharjah?”
With 4,000 new driver’s licenses issued daily and road networks struggling to keep up, Al Hammadi emphasized that legislation must evolve alongside infrastructure projects. The region's vehicle increase—23% across Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain—calls for a long-term strategy rather than short-term fixes.
While some federal corridor upgrades began in 2024, Al Hammadi insisted on clear timelines for their completion.
Al Hammadi also revealed alarming statistics: 460 hours per year—equivalent to 60 workdays—are wasted by motorists stuck in traffic between the two emirates.
He also noted that some residents have been forced to rent temporary apartments or shared residences closer to their offices in Dubai to avoid lengthy commutes.
As UAE officials weigh their next steps, the question remains: Will stricter car ownership rules finally ease the Dubai-Sharjah gridlock?
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