Heavy traffic on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Dubai on February 18, 2026. EXPAT MEDIA

Authorities and road safety experts are urging motorists to plan ahead and drive patiently during Ramadan, as heavy traffic has been reported across major UAE roads at the start of the holy month. On the first day of Ramadan, congestion was seen on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road as early as 2pm, with some drivers stuck in slow-moving traffic for more than two hours. The congestion was attributed to motorists rushing to head home early for iftar. Working hours have been reduced nationwide. Private sector employees are working two hours less during Ramadan, while federal government staff work from 9am to 2:30pm Monday to Thursday and from 9am to noon on Fridays. Schools have also adjusted schedules to support fasting students. Road safety experts say the early afternoon period can be riskier than the pre-iftar rush. Data gathered by Al Wathba Insurance and Road Safety UAE shows that 17 percent of traffic accidents during Ramadan last year occurred between 2pm and 4pm. Another 15 percent happened between 4pm and 6pm. Only 9 percent were recorded between 6pm and 8pm. Thomas Edelmann, managing director of Road Safety UAE, said several factors may contribute to the spike. “Offices are closing sooner than normal, people are hitting the road sooner than normal,” he said. “And then, when motorists hit the roads, they might already be under the effects of fasting.” “Dehydration might have set in, concentration levels are also down, maybe fatigue is creeping in. All of these factors together might make a cocktail that's not good for safety. And we see the accident numbers in the claims rising just in this time period.” The study analysed 2,771 insurance claims submitted during Ramadan last year. “UAE motorists need to be especially careful with regards to the behaviour of other drivers in Ramadan, as in more than 65 percent of accidents a third party is at fault,” Edelmann added. He said the most accident-prone two-hour window is between 2pm and 4pm, with Mondays and Thursdays identified as the most dangerous days. Drivers aged 36 to 40 were found to be most at risk. ICA.Expat Media
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