Abu Dhabi 20kph speed limit buffer to be removed next month
The buffer that allows drivers to travel up to 20kph above the advertised speed limit on UAE roads will be removed in Abu Dhabi next month.
Abu Dhabi Police, the Department of Transport and the Urban Planning Department said the move would improve road safety.
The buffer will be abolished on August 12, to be replaced by uniform speed limits on roads.
The new ruling will lead to speed limits being changed and is intended to provide clarity on the speeds at which drivers can legally travel.
The statement noted that speed limits would be standardised but did not specify whether or not the official speed limit would be increased.
Drastic variations in vehicle speed are a leading cause of crashes.
Road infrastructure must be taken into account when setting new limits, said Dr Yaser Hawas, a professor of transport and traffic engineering at UAE University and director of the university’s Roadway, Transport and Traffic Safety Research Centre.
“Whatever that they are going to allow, it shouldn’t exceed the road’s design speed,” Dr Hawas said. “If they raise the limit, they are giving the message that this road is well designed to accommodate driving at that limit.”
Stephen Levins, a business consultant who commutes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, welcomed the idea of removing the buffer.
“Coming from Europe, it just didn’t make sense to me,” said Mr Levins, 35, who is from Ireland. “The speed limit is the speed limit and that’s what you should do.
“Because you’re allowed to do an extra 20kph, some people do 120kph, some do 130kph and some do 140kph and it causes confusion on the road. I think they just need to make the rule very clear and defined.”
Road safety experts have long encouraged authorities to abolish the buffer.
Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, had previously told The National: “We have been lobbying for many years to remove the allowance buffer as it does not exist in other countries and it might confuse motorists and can be used as an excuse.” Mr Edelmann also urged the other emirates to follow suit.
Under the new ruling, motorists will face fines if they are caught driving 121kph in a 120kph zone.
Maj Gen Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police General Directorate, called on motorists to respect the new ruling, which is designed for new road networks and rising congestion levels.
A comprehensive campaign will be introduced – using platforms such as social media, newspapers and displays on public transport vehicles and taxis – to make the public aware of changes in speed limits and the removal of the 20kph buffer.