Capital police presence helps reduce traffic headaches

ABU DHABI // Traffic was smooth yesterday as hundreds of thousands of pupils returned to school after the summer holidays.

Abu Dhabi Police increased patrols on roads around schools and at intersections to cut congestion and there were no reports of major accidents. Rashid Al Muhairi, 44, who dropped off his son Khalifa, 10, at Al Nahda National School for Boys, off Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Street, at 7am, said the back- to- school traffic was much better than last year.

“I think the police are doing a great job,” he said.

“We got here in five minutes. I saw traffic patrols at many intersections to ensure safety and smooth flow of traffic.”

Mustafa Al Rumaithi, 47, set out on the school run earlier than normal from the family’s home in Al Shamkha, on the outskirts of the capital. He first took his 15- year- old daughter to Al Nahda School for Girls in Mushrif then went to the Al Nahda boy’s campus to drop off his sons, aged 7, 11 and 12.

“Traffic was heavy but moved smoothly and easily,” he said.

While traffic was generally smooth in Dubai, there were hold-ups on Sheikh Zayed Road with slow-moving traffic from Wafi Mall up to the Dubai Mall interchange towards Abu Dhabi. Traffic also moved slowly from Mall of the Emirates up to The Dubai Mall interchange in the direction of Sharjah.

Motorists complained of delays at Business Bay around Emaar Square.

A minor accident was reported on the Dubai to Al Ain Road after the Academic City exit towards Dubai, while another was reported on Al Khail Road, near Dubai Mall, which caused some tailbacks.

Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, urged parents to behave responsibly on the school run.

“This starts with proper time management, observing the speed limit, ensuring children are buckled up and parking safely around schools,” he said. “Parents should ensure children cross only at designated crosswalks.”