“I Cross Safely” initiative targets significant reduction in road accidents through awareness and infrastructure excellence.
DUBAI – In a concerted effort to fortify urban safety and promote responsible road behavior, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out a series of high-impact activities to mark GCC Traffic Week 2026. Running from May 3 to May 8 under the theme “I Cross Safely,” the campaign is being executed in close coordination with the Ministry of Interior and various strategic partners.
The week-long initiative targets a broad spectrum of road users, including motorists, pedestrians, and operators of soft mobility means like e-scooters. By integrating educational outreach with field activities, the RTA aims to cement Dubai’s position as one of the world’s safest cities for residents and visitors alike.
A Decade of Drastic Improvement
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Al Khzaimy, Director of Traffic at the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, highlighted the emirate’s remarkable progress in road safety. Statistics reveal a transformative shift: the road fatality rate has plummeted from 21.7 deaths per 100,000 population in 2007 to a record low of 1.4 in 2025.
“This success is a direct result of our integrated traffic safety strategy,” Al Khzaimy noted. “Through continuous upgrades to our infrastructure and robust partnerships with the private sector—including the Emirates Driving Institute and Michelin Tyres—we have created a landscape where safety is built into the very fabric of the city.”
Infrastructure and Outreach
Dubai’s commitment to pedestrians is visible in its rapidly expanding infrastructure. By the end of 2025, the city boasted:
- 177 pedestrian bridges, including those connecting to the Metro network.
- Over 2,000 traffic calming measures designed to reduce vehicle speeds in high-risk zones.
- Comprehensive road markings and signage across all major districts.
Beyond physical structures, the RTA’s educational reach has been extensive. Last year alone, the “Pedestrian Safety” program reached over 30,000 workers, while 47,000 students participated in lectures focused on safe crossing techniques.
GCC Traffic Week 2026: Key Highlights
The current campaign features several innovative engagement tools:
- Digital Integration: Awareness messages and the official GCC Traffic Week logo are being displayed across electronic screens on major highways and advertising hubs.
- Incentives for Safety: RTA is distributing reflective caps and instructional booklets to metro and bus commuters. These booklets feature QR codes linking to educational videos that illustrate the dangers of crossing from non-designated areas.
- Soft Mobility Focus: Special field initiatives are targeting e-scooter and bicycle users, emphasizing the requirement to dismount while using pedestrian crossings. Compliant users are being formally honored to encourage best practices.
- Community Empathy: A poignant segment of the program involves visits to Rashid Hospital to meet pedestrians injured in traffic incidents, involving delivery riders and motorists to foster a sense of shared responsibility.
“The safety of pedestrians and soft mobility users is a shared community responsibility. We urge everyone to remain alert, use designated crossings, and recognize that a fine of AED 400 for jaywalking is a small price compared to the potential loss of life.” — Ahmed Al Khzaimy
