Dubai Police and RTA Roll Out Joint Patrol Units to Enforce Heavy Vehicle Compliance 2024

Dubai Police and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have launched Joint Patrol Units to monitor heavy vehicles on Dubai’s major roads. The initiative targets key routes like Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to ensure traffic safety and compliance with technical regulations.

Boosting Road Safety with Collaborative Efforts

Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, highlighted the importance of these patrols in enforcing the Traffic Safety Strategy. This 5-year plan emphasizes monitoring and enforcement, vehicle engineering, and improving road safety systems.

“The joint patrols will focus on ensuring that heavy vehicles are properly maintained, thus preventing accidents and promoting safer roads,” said Al Ghaithi. He called on drivers to follow speed limits, maintain safe distances, and conduct regular vehicle inspections.

Key Areas of Focus

According to Hussain Al Banna, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, these joint patrols will check various safety factors, including tyre conditions, overloading, lighting, and the presence of safety equipment. Any violations will be met with fines issued by Dubai Police officers.

The aim is to reduce the number of truck-related incidents while contributing to Dubai’s vision of zero traffic fatalities. Al Banna noted that traffic fatalities had already decreased by 93% between 2007 and 2023, reflecting the impact of safety initiatives.

Supporting the Logistics Sector

Al Banna also emphasized the role of these patrol units in improving the logistics sector. Dubai, a major logistics hub, has 73,861 registered heavy vehicles. The new patrols, combined with 10 newly built truck rest stops across six key roads, are designed to support drivers and enhance safety measures.

RTA’s truck rest stops feature facilities like prayer rooms, refueling stations, and resting areas, offering much-needed services to truck drivers on long routes. These rest stops are part of a broader plan to modernize fleet operations and introduce zero-emission vehicles in the logistics sector.