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Quick delivery takes toll: 22 killed in accidents involving bikes in Dubai
You order your meal online and want it at your doorstep immediately. The rush to get the meal could take a toll on the delivery man.
The boom in e-commerce and delivery businesses has left the delivery riders under enormous pressure. As the orders increase, the pressure mounts to deliver on time. And this causes accidents and road fatalities.
Dubai Police data revealed that 22 people were killed and 253 injured in road accidents involving bikes last year. In the first two months of the year, the police’s traffic department recorded 46 accidents that claimed three lives and left 47 injured.
Delivery service companies have been asked to educate riders about the importance of complying with traffic safety rules.
The Abu Dhabi Police said 162 accidents involving riders took place in 2019, which went up to 170 in 2020 and increased to 210 in 2021. Road fatalities rose from nine in 2019 to 13 in 2020.
Sumaya Saeed Al Neyadi, road safety section head at the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), said: “In most cases, safety issues can be traced back to the riders and their driving behaviour. Delivery riders were spotted overtaking cars, not wearing proper protective equipment, speeding, working long hours resulting in fatigue and so on.”
A video shared by the ITC shows the violations committed.
Lt-Col Mohammed Alai Al Naqbi, director of the Traffic and Patrols Department at the Sharjah Police, reportedly said the most common traffic violation committed by motorcyclists was lane indiscipline.
Many programmes are being launched to teach the delivery riders to stick to traffic rules and some of them are also being rewarded for following the rules.
The UAE-Oman railway project, officially known as Hafeet Rail, has reached 40 % completion, marking a major milestone in one of the region’s most ambitious transport initiatives.
Once operational, the cross-border rail line will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar in just 1 hour and 40 minutes, while journeys from Al Ain to Sohar will take only 47 minutes.
First modern cross-border train in the region
Announced in 2023, the project is a joint venture between Oman Rail, Etihad Rail, and Mubadala.
Spanning 303km, the railway will be the first modern cross-border train in the Arab world, carrying both passengers and cargo between the UAE and Oman.
Route and speed
The line will run from the UAE’s existing rail network in Al Wathba to Sohar’s port, passing through varied terrain including deserts, valleys, and mountains alongside Jebel Hafeet.
- Train speed: up to 200 km/h
- Route length (main section): approx. 238km
- Travel time: significantly reduced between key cities
Major engineering works
The project includes:
- 2,500m of tunnels through mountainous terrain
- 21 overbridges and 39 underpasses
- Viaducts and bridges to ensure smooth, uninterrupted rail flow
These features will help maintain efficient travel across challenging landscapes.
Freight services between nations
Beyond passenger travel, Hafeet Rail is expected to create an integrated logistics network, strengthening trade and economic ties between the UAE and Oman. Freight locomotives will be used to power cargo services across the network, helping to strengthen regional logistics, trade flows, and supply chain efficiency between the two Gulf countries.
The project is valued at around $3 billion and is expected to play a major role in enhancing connectivity and economic integration across the region.
While construction is progressing across multiple locations, no official completion date has yet been announced.
His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a major new infrastructure project set to expand the emirate’s transport network.
The 24-kilometre line, with an estimated cost of Dh 34 billion, will pass through 15 key strategic areas, serving around 1.5 million residents and connecting to 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.
Key route and connectivity
The new line will run from Al Ghubaiba in the north to Jumeirah Golf Estates, linking historic and emerging parts of the city.
- Total stations: 18
- Fully underground line
- Intersections with existing Red and Green Metro Lines
- Integration with Etihad Rail passenger stations in Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates
Boost to metro network
The Gold Line will increase the Dubai Metro’s overall length by 25%, significantly improving connectivity across the city.
The project is scheduled for completion on September 9, 2032.
Sheikh Mohammed said the project is part of Dubai’s ongoing ambition to become the world’s best city to live in, with continued investment in infrastructure and mobility.
The new line is expected to play a key role in reducing congestion, improving travel times, and supporting urban growth across Dubai.
Inside the UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail project now 40% complete
New Dubai Metro Gold Line to expand network by 25%
