Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a detailed and extensive plan to ensure the safety of students during the upcoming academic year 2025–2026. This plan combines traffic improvements, safety awareness initiatives, and innovative programs aimed at students, parents, and drivers alike. The goal is to create safer school zones across the city and promote responsible driving habits, while also raising awareness about traffic safety from a young age.
Commitment to Traffic Safety for Students
RTA’s efforts come under its broader mission to promote traffic safety among all road users, particularly students. The initiative also aligns with the nationwide traffic safety campaign led by the Ministry of Interior, titled “Traffic Safety for School Students.” Through this collaboration, Dubai aims to maintain its excellent record of safety in school zones and educate both children and adults about responsible road behavior.
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Hussain Al Banna, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, emphasized the importance of these initiatives: “RTA is committed to supporting traffic safety in school zones for all students and education staff in the Emirate of Dubai. We aim to provide both students and parents with guidance and awareness to ensure a safe school commute.”
Key Awareness Programs for Students
To enhance traffic safety awareness, RTA will continue its rollout of several specialized programs aimed at different age groups:
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Golden Rules for Generations’ Safety: Designed for middle school students, this program teaches the fundamental rules of road safety in an engaging way that students can easily remember and follow.
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Hello, My School: This initiative targets kindergarten and primary school children, introducing them to safe practices in a fun and interactive manner, including how to cross roads safely and identify danger zones near school areas.
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Virtual Driving Licence Program: Aimed at high school students, this program provides young drivers with virtual simulations of traffic scenarios to educate them on safe driving habits and responsibilities on the road.
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Support at Major School Events: RTA will also participate in key school events at the start of the academic year, distributing educational gifts to students. These gifts will include printed QR codes that link to digital traffic safety instructions, making learning about road safety engaging and interactive.
Traffic Safety Measures for Parents and Drivers
Al Banna highlighted that RTA’s plan is not just for students but also for drivers and parents. The authority has introduced initiatives to guide parents and motorists on safe drop-off and pick-up procedures. Awareness gifts distributed to parents will include safety tips to ensure they follow proper driving protocols near school zones. Students, meanwhile, will receive gifts that teach them essential safety practices such as avoiding danger areas around school buses and family vehicles.
He noted, “With the expected increase in student numbers to around 400,000 in over 230 schools across Dubai, it is vital to provide clear guidance to prevent accidents and ensure that school areas remain safe for children of all ages and backgrounds.”
Enhancing School Zone Safety
Dubai schools host students from more than 185 different nationalities and cultures. This diversity requires careful planning to maintain a safe learning environment. RTA has taken multiple steps to ensure school zones remain secure:
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Electronic Signboards: The network of signboards near schools displays drivers’ speeds and reminds motorists to reduce speed and wear seatbelts.
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Traffic Calming Measures: These include speed reductions near schools, safe pedestrian crossings, and clearly marked school zones with red road markings in both Arabic and English.
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Social Media and Public Awareness: RTA spreads safety messages across social media platforms, outdoor advertisements, and customer service centers to reach a wide audience.
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Collaboration with Educational Authorities: The authority works closely with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and Emirates Schools Establishment to communicate traffic safety instructions effectively to students and parents.
Past Success of RTA’s School Safety Programs
RTA’s ongoing commitment to school safety has shown remarkable results over the years. Since 2010, Dubai schools have recorded zero traffic-related fatalities, demonstrating the effectiveness of safety campaigns, traffic calming measures, and public awareness initiatives. The School Zones Project, a key part of these efforts, has successfully:
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Reduced speed limits around schools
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Introduced smart electronic signboards
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Painted clear school zone markings
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Ensured safe pedestrian crossings
These measures have collectively contributed to creating safer streets for children, teachers, and parents in school areas.
Call to Action for Drivers and Parents
At the start of the new academic year, Al Banna stressed the importance of vigilance, caution, and full compliance with traffic safety rules. He urged all drivers and parents to follow the following measures:
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Use designated pick-up and drop-off zones
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Avoid stopping in areas allocated for emergency vehicles or People of Determination
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Obey school bus signals and signs
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Pay attention to student movements around school zones
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Reduce speed and follow traffic signals
He added, “These practices act as a protective shield for students, ensuring a safe, inspiring, and accident-free start to the academic year.”
Future Plans and Continuous Improvement
Looking ahead, RTA plans to continue improving school safety measures by expanding its electronic signboard network, implementing more awareness initiatives, and introducing advanced traffic management technologies around schools. The authority also aims to strengthen collaborations with private and government partners to enhance the overall safety environment for students.
The combination of traffic improvements, educational programs, and public awareness campaigns highlights Dubai’s proactive approach toward creating safe school zones. By educating students, guiding parents, and monitoring drivers, RTA ensures that the city remains a model for traffic safety in school areas worldwide.
