Abu Dhabi Police Crack Down: Over 9,000 E-Scooters Confiscated in 10 Months Amid Safety Concerns

Abu Dhabi Police have confiscated a significant number of e-scooters, seizing 9,237 units over the past 10 months across the emirate. This enforcement action is part of a broader initiative to address violations of regulations governing the use of e-scooters on public roads, in traffic, and in prohibited zones.

The police department announced on Facebook that they have intensified efforts against "electric scooters violating traffic rules and regulations during 2026, as a result of their use on public roads, between vehicles, and on paths not designated for them, posing a danger to the safety of their users and road users." This highlights a growing concern for the safety of both e-scooter riders and other road users.

The dangers associated with e-scooter usage were further emphasized by the police, who stated, "One of the most dangerous behaviours among electric scooter drivers is driving without paying attention to traffic, not wearing a helmet, and not wearing safety gear, which increases the likelihood of traffic accidents that may result in serious injuries or deaths."

Recent data underscores these concerns. Earlier this year, The National reported a 97 per cent surge in major e-scooter accidents in 2025 compared to the previous year, with incidents rising from 61 to 120. Complementing these statistics, a study by Al Wathba Insurance and RoadSafetyUAE revealed that 93 per cent of UAE residents have observed e-scooter riders behaving unsafely or recklessly, and 90 per cent feel personally unsafe due to current e-scooter usage patterns.

The Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi has designated specific areas for e-scooter use. These include internal roads with speed limits below 40 kph, lanes shared by pedestrians and cyclists, and cycle lanes specifically designated for cyclists and e-scooter riders. However, riding e-scooters is strictly prohibited on highways with speed limits of 60 kph or higher, public roads and motorways, and pedestrian lanes.