The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has recently uploaded ‘open data’ on road safety statistics for 2023, identifying which roads and streets are more prone to accidents.
Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road (E311), a major UAE road from Al Falah in Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), last year registered the most number of people involved in accidents at 266, including 223 road users who were injured and 43 who died.
The second most dangerous road is Emirates Road with 18 fatalities and 104 injuries of varying degrees for a total of 122 deaths and injuries.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road came in third with 16 deaths and 131 injuries for a total of 147. Fourth is Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road with 171 injuries and 13 fatalities, for a total of 184. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road came in fifth with 134 injuries and 12 deaths, for a total of 146 (deaths and injuries).
Here are the remaining five most dangerous roads in the UAE:
| Rank | Road | Deaths | Injuries |
| 6. | Abu Dhabi-Al Sila | 11 | 62 |
| 7. | Dubai-Al Ain | 10 | 19 |
| 8. | Tarif | 7 | 24 |
| 9. | Khor Fakkan | 7 | 17 |
| 10. | Al Khail | 5 | 154 |
Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, noted the ranking of dangerous roads is based on the number of deaths and not on the total (injuries + deaths), as “the strongest indicator in road safety is the number of fatalities.”
Breakdown by emirate
The MoI data also revealed Abu Dhabi topped the list of fatalities, while Dubai topped the most number of injuries in 2023.
Road deaths:
| Abu Dhabi | 133 |
| Dubai | 121 |
| Sharjah | 34 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 30 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 16 |
| Ajman | 11 |
| Fujairah | 7 |
Road injuries:
| Dubai | 2,607 |
| Abu Dhabi | 1,850 |
| Sharjah | 387 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 326 |
| Fujairah | 202 |
| Ajman | 133 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 63 |
Positive development
Edelmann said “the rise in accidents and injuries is alarming and calls for a continued focus on road safety. But the overall picture is showing a positive development as fatality numbers hover near the ‘all-time low’ that was witnessed in 2022.”
There were 352 road fatalities across the country in 2023, up by 3 per cent as compared to in 2022 with 343 deaths, but significantly down 8 per cent as compared to 381 fatalities recorded in 2021.
“The long-term trend is remarkable,” Edelmann underscored, explaining: “The last time the UAE reported more than 1,000 traffic fatalities was in the year 2008 (1,072). This means a remarkable 67 per cent drop in road fatalities over the last 15 years.
Increased efforts needed
Edelmann said “increased efforts are needed to improve road safety – and this can be done through education and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.”
“A strong focus is also needed on the young segment of the 19-29 years old, and also the 30-39 years old segment. Together, these two main segments account for more than 60 per cent of the casualties. Drivers must embrace their responsibility for their passengers and other vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians.” he added.