The mobile surveillance cameras installed along a street in Oud Metha, Dubai. EXPAT MEDIA

Residents in Dubai have recently reported the appearance of mobile surveillance cameras in religious areas, including Oud Metha and Jebel Ali. The sight of these cameras—mounted on wheeled platforms and positioned near churches, temples, and mosques—has sparked curiosity. Dubai Police confirmed to Expat Media that the new surveillance units are part of an ongoing initiative to enhance traffic safety in high-footfall zones, particularly around places of worship and pedestrian crossings. “These surveillance cameras are focused on pedestrian crossings and interior roads in areas where we observe a high volume of foot traffic,” a Dubai Police spokesperson told Expat Media. “It is part of our broader efforts to improve compliance and ensure public safety.” The deployment of surveillance cameras is also part of Dubai's road engineering measures. Authorities recently reviewed and upgraded 23 high-risk locations across Dubai. Dubai Police emphasized that the cameras are not intended for public surveillance but for traffic enforcement and pedestrian protection, especially in areas where pedestrian-vehicle interactions are frequent. The initiative is aligned with the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy, which aims to achieve a "Zero Fatalities" goal and position Dubai as a global leader in road safety. Last April, Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, reaffirmed the force’s commitment to this strategy. He also praised the ongoing collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which plays a key role in infrastructure upgrades and enforcement coordination. Lt. Gen. Al Marri pointed out that Dubai has witnessed a significant improvement in road safety since 2007. “Thanks to our continued efforts and strategic partnerships, traffic fatalities have decreased by more than 90 percent over 18 years—from 21.7 per 100,000 people in 2007 to just 1.8 in 2024,” he said. The strategy includes 53 specific initiatives across four main pillars, including road and vehicle engineering, systems and management, traffic awareness and enforcement. According to Dubai Police, hese efforts have had a significant impact, with pedestrian fatalities dropping from 9.5 percent to 0.3 percent. The rate of serious injuries has also declined from 36.2 percent to 4 percent. Meanwhile, Dubai Police continues to monitor traffic violations, recording 60,000 pedestrian violations, 145,000 violations involving delivery motorcycles and 40,000 violations involving bicycles and e-scooters. Authorities have impounded nearly 24,000 vehicles, including 4,000 delivery motorcycles and over 54,000 personal mobility devices. ICA/Expat Media
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