Dubai Police has launched a citywide road safety campaign for the Holy Month, urging motorists to slow down and avoid rushing home in the minutes before sunset.

The initiative, titled ‘Ramadan Without Accidents’, is part of Dubai Police’s annual Ramadan outreach and aims to reduce speeding and reckless driving during the critical pre-Maghrib period, a time when traffic incidents typically increase.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Rahman Al Falasi, Director of the Traffic Awareness Department at the General Department of Traffic, said officers will be distributing Iftar meals to motorists at key junctions shortly before sunset. The move is designed to ease pressure on drivers who may feel compelled to speed to break their fast on time.

“Road safety remains a top priority, particularly during Ramadan when traffic patterns shift, and some motorists feel urgency to reach their destinations before Iftar,” he said, urging residents to plan journeys, stick to speed limits and exercise patience behind the wheel.

Locations for meal distribution:

• City Walk intersection
• Al Satwa roundabout
• Al Madina Mall
• Century Mall
• American Hospital Dubai
• Al Mizhar 4
• Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre intersection in Al Khawaneej

The campaign also includes a strong community component. Four volunteer initiatives will run throughout Ramadan, with 679 volunteers, including Dubai Police personnel and members of the public, currently registered on the Dubai Police Volunteer Platform.

Volunteers will support field activities, awareness campaigns and community engagement efforts, reinforcing the shared responsibility for safer roads during the holy month.

Dubai residents can now manage electricity and water services simply by asking questions on ChatGPT, after Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) expanded its customer support onto the AI platform.

DEWA says it is the first government utility in the world to provide services directly through an artificial intelligence system, moving beyond traditional websites and mobile apps.

Through ChatGPT, customers can:

• Check and review bills
• Access account details
• Get billing support
• Locate nearby EV Green Charger stations
• Find Customer Happiness Centres, including opening hours and contact details

More services are expected to be added gradually.

DEWA’s Managing Director and CEO, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, said the initiative reflects a broader shift toward embedding services within global AI platforms to deliver faster, more intuitive and proactive customer experiences.

Officials confirmed the system operates within DEWA’s existing governance, privacy and security framework, with safeguards in place as additional features roll out.

The move supports Dubai’s wider strategy to position itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation, integrating AI across public services to enhance accessibility and efficiency.

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued a decree appointing Abdulla bin Damithan as Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

The appointment places one of the UAE’s most experienced trade and logistics leaders at the helm of one of Dubai’s most strategically important economic entities.

A Veteran in Ports and Global Trade

Abdulla bin Damithan brings more than two decades of experience in ports, logistics and international trade. He currently oversees DP World’s operations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, managing ports, economic zones, marine services and trade solutions.

He previously served as CEO and Managing Director of DP World UAE, where he led strategic growth across key regional markets. He oversees Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

Bin Damithan joined DP World in 2001 and has since held several senior leadership roles, contributing to the company’s transformation into a global provider of smart trade and logistics solutions.

New Leadership Appointments at DP World

Separately, DP World confirmed the appointment of Essa Kazim as Chairman of its Board of Directors, alongside the appointment of Yuvraj Narayan as Group CEO.

Kazim currently serves as Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Chairman of Borse Dubai. He brings extensive expertise in financial and economic affairs, having held senior leadership positions across several national institutions.

Narayan, who joined DP World in 2004, has played a key role in leading strategic and transformational initiatives that strengthened the company’s global footprint.

Serving as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2005, Narayan has been instrumental in enhancing DP World’s financial resilience, operational efficiency and supply chain capabilities worldwide.