UAE traffic: Commuters at a standstill as children return to school

Police out on the roads to ensure pupils arrive safely

The return of the school run meant jammed roads between Sharjah and Dubai this morning. Pawan Singh / The National

Rush-hour traffic in Sharjah and Dubai was back at a high volume as children returned to school after a long summer holiday.

Slow-moving traffic was reported on all the main routes between Sharjah and Dubai.

Drivers heading northbound from Sharjah faced traffic jams on Al Ittihad Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road towards Muhaisnah.

Commuters heading from Al Tawun in Sharjah towards Dubai were also caught in long queues.

Elsewhere there were delays on the Dubai-Sharjah Toll Road to Dubai International Airport. Delays were reported in Oud Metha near Dubai Healthcare City and Umm Hurair Street.

There was slow traffic in Tripoli Street in Al Warqa area, E44 Al Awir Road, and International City. Cars were also queued on Hessa Street near Jumeirah Village Circle.

Police patrols were sent to ensure the safety of pupils. Although traffic was described as heavy, no major accidents had been reported at 7.30am.

Dubai Police advised drivers to be cautious on the roads and to aim for an accident-free day.

In Abu Dhabi, there was 2km of heavy traffic on the E20 near Abu Dhabi International Airport and both inbound and outbound on the E10, from the Eastern Mangroves to Dalma Street.

Motorists could be seen waiting at junctions along Dalma Street, Hazza bin Zayed Street and Al Falah Street.

Traffic was moving well on the Sheikh Zayed Bridge. There was slight congestion inbound on the Maqta Bridge and inbound on the Mussaffah Bridge.

A minor build-up could be seen on Al Bateen Street, while cars were moving smoothly around Zayed University.

__________

Read more:

Dubai Police issue stark road safety warning ahead of new school year

How to report traffic accidents in the UAE

UAE motorists urged to ditch 'egocentric' driving habits ahead of first day back to school

New to the UAE? How schools are working to ease pupils into the classroom on their first day