RTA Launches School Road Safety Campaign for 2026-2027 Academic Year, Maintains Zero Traffic Fatalities Since 2010

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has rolled out a comprehensive series of awareness programmes and activities, aligning with the commencement of the 2026-2027 academic year. These initiatives are designed to promote road safety, educate on accident prevention in school zones, and uphold traffic safety principles among students, parents, and drivers.

Focusing on Prevention and Awareness

Part of the RTA’s annual traffic awareness plan, the campaign supports the national "Traffic Safety for School Students" initiative by the Ministry of Interior. Key messages include urging parents and drivers to adhere to speed limits, avoid improper and double parking, refrain from unsafe overtaking, and use designated drop-off and pick-up zones. Special emphasis is placed on vigilance at pedestrian crossings and around school buses, particularly during the initial weeks of the academic year when traffic volumes typically surge.

Hussain Al Banna, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, highlighted that school students are a primary focus for RTA's awareness efforts, especially with Dubai's growing student population. The RTA aims to instil a culture of safety from an early age, with programmes tailored to different age groups and educational levels.

Impact of Awareness and Engineering Measures

The RTA's awareness plans are informed by traffic statistics and surveys. A survey conducted during the 2025-2026 academic year gathered insights from over 20,000 parents, revealing that 91% used designated student drop-off and pick-up areas, and 71% were fully aware of related rules. The survey also indicated that approximately 44% of students use school buses, while 47% travel by private vehicle.

Al Banna confirmed that the RTA’s combined awareness and engineering efforts, in collaboration with government and private sector partners, have successfully maintained zero traffic fatalities at Dubai schools since 2010. Families are encouraged to play a crucial role by complying with traffic rules, ensuring seat belt use, respecting pedestrian crossings, and avoiding mobile phone use while driving.

Continued Programmes and Infrastructure Improvements

As the new academic year begins, the RTA is reactivating programmes such as "Hello, My School" for kindergarten and primary students, "Golden Rules for Generations’ Safety," and "Virtual Driving Licence" for secondary students. These programmes employ interactive methods to teach safe road crossing, proper use of pedestrian crossings and seat belts, and safe behaviour around vehicles and school buses. Also, the RTA is continuing traffic and engineering improvements around schools, which include upgrades to entry and exit points, pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming measures, and enhanced road signs and markings. Digital awareness tools, including educational materials with QR codes linking to visual content, are also being expanded.