Dubai is getting a major tech upgrade for trainee drivers. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has updated its light vehicle driver training curriculum to include modern smart driving technologies and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The move reflects the growing number of vehicles equipped with intelligent safety features on Dubai’s roads and aims to better prepare new drivers for modern driving conditions.

What’s included in the new training?

The updated curriculum now covers training on:

• Forward collision warning
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane departure alerts
• Parking assist systems
• Adaptive cruise control
• ABS braking systems
• Other advanced driver safety technologies

According to Sultan Al Akraf, Director of Drivers Licensing at the RTA, the revised programme is designed to improve driver behaviour, enhance road safety and help reduce traffic accidents.

Integrated into driving schools and tests

The new content has been added to:

• Theoretical lessons
• Practical driving sessions
• Official driver handbooks

The programme was developed in collaboration with Dubai’s driving institutes to align training with internationally recognised road safety standards.

RTA says more than 250,000 trainees have already benefited from the updated curriculum in recent years, while workshops continue to be held for driving schools to ensure instructors stay updated on evolving vehicle technologies.

As cars become increasingly automated and technology-driven, understanding ADAS systems is becoming a key part of safe driving.

Finding parking in Dubai could soon become much easier. Parkin has launched new AI-powered smart parking camera systems across three major locations in the city, introducing curb-side parking technology in the region.

The rollout covers Trade Centre One, Burj Khalifa and Al Corniche, where more than 500 curb and pole-mounted cameras are being installed.

How the system works

The new system uses AI to automatically capture vehicle images, read number plates and detect entry and exit times without the need for traditional parking meters or manual checks.

Parkin has also deployed 200 parking lot cameras capable of:

• Calculating parking fees automatically
• Enabling seamless auto-payment
• Detecting parking violations
• Tracking real-time parking occupancy

All cameras are solar powered, supporting Dubai’s wider sustainability goals.

Integrated with Parkin app

The smart parking system will be fully integrated into the Parkin app, allowing drivers to pay automatically through the Parkin Wallet feature.

Officials say the technology is designed to reduce congestion caused by drivers searching for parking spaces while improving overall traffic flow and parking management efficiency.

The UAE has confirmed it is fully prepared to deal with any potential developments related to hantavirus and other public health threats, as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Health and Prevention said the country’s health surveillance systems, precautionary measures and emergency response plans remain fully active.

The update came during a meeting of the National Team for the Management of Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Related to Human Epidemics, where officials reviewed preparedness measures and coordination efforts with local and international partners.

UAE monitoring situation closely

Authorities said healthcare facilities and medical teams across the UAE are ready to respond if needed, while precautionary monitoring systems continue operating as part of the country’s proactive public health strategy.

Officials also urged residents to rely only on official information sources and avoid circulating misleading or inaccurate reports online.

WHO says hantavirus poses low risk

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified hantavirus as a low-risk disease in terms of global spread.

According to them, human-to-human transmission remains very limited, with most infections linked to exposure to rodents or contaminated environments.

The organisation added that current assessments do not indicate any risk of a potential pandemic.

What is hantavirus?

Hantavirus refers to a group of viruses primarily spread through contact with infected rodents, their urine, droppings or saliva.

Symptoms can vary depending on the strain but may include fever, fatigue, muscle aches and respiratory complications in severe cases.