Drivers in the UAE, often enduring up to four hours daily in traffic congestion, are hopeful and enthusiastic about the recently announced highway, anticipating smoother commutes and significant time savings.
Drivers in the UAE, who spend up to four hours a day stuck in traffic, are optimistic about the newly announced highway.”
Every day before dawn, 29-year-old Lebanese math teacher Mohyeddin Yousef embarks on a commute spanning three emirates. Residing in Ajman, he first takes his children to school in Sharjah, then heads to his job in Dubai.
“On a typical day, the drive takes around 90 minutes, but an accident can easily extend it to two hours,” he explained. “I end up spending three to four hours stuck in traffic every day.”
Mohyeddin joins a rising number of commuters who face dense traffic during mornings and evenings between the northern emirates and Dubai. The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure reports that vehicle ownership is growing at over eight percent each year — roughly four times the global rate of around two percent — driven by population growth and increased economic activity.
Mohyeddin joins a rising number of commuters who face dense traffic during mornings and evenings between the northern emirates and Dubai. The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure reports that vehicle ownership is growing at over eight percent each year — roughly four times the global rate of around two percent — driven by population growth and increased economic activity.
Authorities note that congestion during peak hours has worsened due to school and work schedules coinciding on both federal and local roads.
Throughout the years, Mohyeddin has been involved in three traffic accidents, one of which occurred on the Dubai–Sharjah highway and remains etched in his memory. “I’ve witnessed it all — mangled vehicles, fires, injuries, even fatalities,” he shared. “By the time I arrive at work, I’m completely exhausted.”
The lengthy daily drive has disrupted his family life. “By the time I return home, I’m too exhausted to spend time with my children,” he explained. “I often go to bed soon after sunset to rest, and when I wake up, my family is already asleep. Weekends are really the only time I get to be with them.”
For commuters like Mohyeddin, the government’s Dh170-billion initiative to upgrade transport infrastructure—including a fourth national highway linking the northern emirates to Abu Dhabi—brings optimism for quicker and safer travel. The development aims to facilitate more efficient movement of both people and goods while reducing congestion on busy routes like the E11.
He suggested analyzing where residents live and work to better plan solutions. “Technology could assist — perhaps an app that tracks commuting trends,” he said. He also thinks enhancing public transport and tackling housing costs could provide longer-term relief. “If metro lines were extended, more people would likely use them,” he added. “Investing in public transit would be cheaper and more effective in the long run.”
Rashid Saif Al Bedwawi, 54, from Dubai, described traffic congestion as a significant barrier to productivity. “We spend countless hours stuck in traffic every day,” he noted. “It affects meetings, appointments, and even business opportunities.”
He commended the UAE’s ongoing efforts to modernize its transport infrastructure but emphasized the need to also focus on driver behavior and vehicle safety. “The problem isn’t just the roads,” he explained. “Many outdated vehicles remain in use, and too many drivers ignore basic safety rules.”
Rashid suggested that stricter vehicle inspections, tougher enforcement of traffic laws, and public awareness initiatives could improve road safety and help the country achieve its targets of reducing both congestion and accidents nationwide.
Sharjah resident Jamila Ahmed, who travels to Dubai for work every day, shared similar frustrations. “What should be a short commute now takes over an hour each way because of heavy traffic, turning a simple drive into an exhausting ordeal,” she explained.
She described the daily gridlock during peak hours as “stressful and unpredictable,” emphasizing how the long hours on the road have disrupted her routine. “Being stuck in traffic causes both stress and physical strain. It starts my day on a low note and leaves me drained when I get home. As a mother, it also limits the time I can spend with my children,” she added.
Jamila expressed optimism about the government’s new transport initiative. “It demonstrates a serious effort to tackle the traffic challenge and is an essential measure to manage the rising number of vehicles,” she said. “Shorter, less stressful commutes would allow for more personal time, lower daily stress, and a healthier work-life balance.”
She also highlighted the role employers could play in reducing commuter pressure. “I hope companies consider flexible arrangements, like shorter working hours or remote work,” she noted. “Such measures could be just as impactful as new roads in improving people’s overall quality of life.”
