The signage on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. EXPAT MEDIA

The minimum speed limit of 120kmph has officially been removed from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road (E311), Abu Dhabi Mobility announced on Monday, in a move aimed at improving traffic safety and easing traffic flow—especially for heavy vehicles. Motorists commuting between Abu Dhabi and Dubai noticed that signage enforcing the minimum speed was recently taken down. The maximum speed on the highway remains unchanged at 140kmph. The now-scrapped rule was introduced in April 2023, requiring vehicles on the two leftmost lanes to maintain at least 120kmph. Drivers who failed to comply were fined Dh400 for “driving below the designated minimum speed.” The rule had sparked confusion among motorists. In one case last December, a driver was fined eight times for driving between 110kmph and 115kmph, not noticing that he was driving on the designated lane requiring a minimum speed of 120kmph. The motorist later vented frustration on social media after receiving multiple SMS notifications about the fines. “It turned out to be an expensive lesson,” he wrote, claiming he was unaware of the rule. While many netizens defended the rule by pointing to the presence of road signs, others criticized the lack of clarity. Authorities defended the minimum speed requirement, saying it was meant to prevent accidents caused by sudden braking and road rage on fast lanes. Abu Dhabi Mobility said scrapping the minimum speed limit is part of broader efforts to improve road safety. In recent weeks, the emirate has also reduced speed limits on other major highways, including the Abu Dhabi-Sweihan Road (E20) and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road (E11). ICA/Expat Media
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