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Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
More passengers per car could help reduce congestion, suggests a survey
17 July 2025 09:52 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI) More than half of car users in Abu Dhabi drive alone, a trend that could be contributing to the persistent traffic congestion reported across the emirates, according to a new survey conducted by RoadSafetyUAE in partnership with Al Wathba study, based on responses from 1,021 UAE residents in June 2025, found that 51% of Abu Dhabi motorists travel without any passengers. The figure is slightly higher for the UAE overall, at 54%, with Sharjah recording the highest solo-driver rate at 62%, followed by other emirates at 56%, and Dubai at 53%.Conversely, only 22% of car users in Abu Dhabi typically travel with one other passenger. This number varies across the country, reaching 25% in Dubai, 18% in other emirates, and a notably low 12% in Sharjah. The proportion of vehicles carrying a driver plus two passengers ranges between 15% and 17% across the findings highlight a clear opportunity for increasing car occupancy as a means to ease congestion. In Dubai, 43% of car users reported travelling with one or more passengers, the highest rate among all emirates. This compares to 39% in Abu Dhabi, 33% in other emirates, and just 28% in Sharjah.'Especially considering the high number of motorists travelling alone in their cars without passengers, we need to find ways to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads,' said Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE. 'From a road safety perspective, traffic congestion should be avoided. They trigger high levels of stress and frustration and can cause misbehaviour which carries the risk of accidents. We must raise awareness for polite and caring manners on the road.'The report suggests that legal carpooling could be a viable strategy to reduce the volume of vehicles. Encouraging people heading to the same destination to travel together in a single vehicle could significantly reduce congestion, although this could bring regulatory and logistical asked about carpooling services in the UAE, Thomas Edelmann, Founder of RoadSafetyUAE, told Aletihad that shared services are permitted in Dubai only through RTA-approved platforms or apps such as Sharekni. 'While many see it as a way to save money and reduce traffic, the RTA strictly regulates carpooling to ensure safety and to prevent unauthorised taxi services. Unlicensed carpooling can result in fines,' he also pointed out that the RTA offers app-based bus pooling services such as Citylink Shuttle, DrivenBus, and Fluxx Daily, providing an alternative form of shared added that while carpooling could offer benefits, it also carries risks. 'Carpooling is considered cautiously, as it might lead to the proliferation of illegal and unlicensed taxis, which would defeat the purpose and spirit behind regulated shared mobility initiatives,' Edelmann Raman, Chief Financial Officer of Al Wathba Insurance, said the study aimed to better understand motorists' concerns and travel patterns. 'We want to give the concerned traffic participants a voice. As one of the leading motor insurers in the UAE, we are committed to staying relevant to the evolving needs of our customers and improving their daily lives. That's why we teamed up with RoadSafetyUAE on this important research project,' he broader survey also shed light on the emotional and behavioural dimensions of road use in the UAE. A significant 47% of respondents reported feeling frustrated, stressed, or anxious when caught in traffic jams—highlighting the mental toll of daily congestion. More concerningly, 82% of motorists said they very often or sometimes witnessed rude or aggressive driving behaviour during such conditions, including tailgating, sudden lane changes, or verbal confrontations. The findings underscore the need for not just infrastructure solutions, but also public awareness campaigns to encourage courteous and patient driving habits. Meanwhile, the study reaffirmed the UAE's deep reliance on private transport, with 92% of respondents saying they depend on road transport daily, and 60% relying specifically on their own vehicles. These patterns further emphasise the urgency of exploring alternatives such as carpooling and improved public transport to ease road pressure and enhance commuter well-being.
Al Etihad
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
UAE motorists back public transportation as solution for traffic woes: Survey
29 June 2025 23:55 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 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 gridlock has long plagued Dubai and Sharjah, the survey reveals that Abu Dhabi now experiences the highest congestion levels on three out of six key journey types—namely the afternoon return from work, the morning commute, and weekend travel. The findings underscore the mounting traffic pressure in the capital as its population and vehicular numbers 86% of drivers say they 'typically' find themselves stuck in traffic, and four in five believe congestion has worsened compared to the previous year. Although 91% of Dubai motorists report routine delays, Abu Dhabi is not far asked about the root causes of traffic congestion, two-thirds of participants cited 'too many vehicles on the road'. More than half blamed 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, under-utilised carpooling, and the lack of viable alternatives such as cycling 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. 'The UAE, being a young nation, must fast-track these developments.'Sharing a personal example, Edelmann said: 'In my hometown, Vienna, a metro line was extended into what was essentially no man's land. But once it was built, development followed. 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.
