Sharjah Drivers Claim Top Spot as UAE's Safest in New Traffic Study

Drivers in Sharjah have topped a national index that assesses safety and behaviour on the roads. Analysis by Dubai-based Bin Yaber Driving Institute assessed seven key indicators from publicly available data and evaluated performances at driving schools across the UAE.

Instructors assessed competence, quality of education, road safety, driving behaviour and public interest in driving-related topics. Indicators in each group were scored on a scale of 0–100, with higher overall scores in each emirate indicating stronger driving education systems, safer roads and more cautious behaviour behind the wheel.

Motorists in Sharjah scored the highest, with an overall mark of 84.4, reflecting the UAE’s strongest road safety performance. Their relatively low average driving speed was a factor in the strong performance, although high levels of congestion in the emirate may well play a part in the slower pace. Abu Dhabi drivers came second, scoring 82.2, and also recorded the lowest average driving speed of 28.3kph. Dubai was third on the list overall with a total of 80.3 points, though the emirate recorded the most hit-and-run accidents with 378, compared to just 96 in Sharjah throughout 2024.

Jaber Al Harbi, managing director of Bin Yaber Driving Institute, noted that driving standards have improved considerably over the last decade, pointing to better training, enhanced accessibility to driving schools, and sharper enforcement.

Thomas Edelman, managing director of Road Safety UAE, added that Sharjah scores best when compared to the UAE average in dimensions such as perceived levels of dangerous driving overall, speeding, tailgating, and distracted driving.