{
  "id": 4995339,
  "title": "UAE school traffic is back: The driving habits making your commute worse, experts warn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/uae-school-traffic-is-back-the-driving-habits-making-your-commute",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/transport/uae-school-traffic-driving-habits-making-traffic-worse-1.500659806"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As Dubai's schools reopen, the city's roads have witnessed a surge in traffic, with an estimated 47% of students now commuting by private vehicle. While safety measures have reduced traffic fatalities near schools to zero since 2010, congestion remains a significant issue. Dr. Suzanne Accetta, CEO of First Driving Centre, warns that everyday driving behaviors during the school run can further exacerbate traffic flow problems.\n\nSudden lane changes, last-minute merging, and unnecessary braking are among the habits that can disrupt the flow of traffic. Using mobile phones while driving, blocking junctions, and stopping or double-parking near school entrances are also contributing factors. Dr. Accetta emphasizes the importance of patience and anticipation, advising drivers to plan their journey with extra time, maintain safe distances, follow designated drop-off areas, and remain alert for children, school buses, and pedestrians.\n\nDr. Suzanne Accetta, CEO of First Driving Centre in Dubai notes that small driving mistakes can lead to major delays. For instance, stopping inside a yellow box junction, double-parking for a quick drop-off, and leaving insufficient space in a queue at traffic lights can create bottlenecks that take significant time to clear. Jaber Al Harbi, Managing Director of Bin Yaber Driving Institute, explains that these seemingly minor actions can have a substantial impact on overall traffic congestion.\n\nMoreover, drivers should be mindful of their behavior at traffic lights. Leaving minimal empty space in a queue and looking down at their phones for even a few seconds at a green light can delay every car behind them. The cumulative effect of these minor mistakes at multiple traffic lights along a school-run route can add valuable minutes to everyone's journey.\n\nThomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE, underscores the importance of calm driving, especially on the first week back at school. He reminds parents that their children are watching their behavior behind the wheel and learning from it. Parents should allow additional time for the journey, even if the distance between home and school is relatively short. A 20-minute commute may require leaving 40 to 45 minutes earlier due to traffic. Edelmann stresses the need for proper time management, adherence to traffic rules, and a role model approach to driving to ensure a safer and less stressful experience for the entire community.",
  "summary": "Dubai: UAE roads have become noticeably busier since schools reopened , with school runs adding to the usual peak-hour rush as families return from summer breaks and parents head back to work. Around 47 per cent of students travel to school by private vehicle , according to the latest RTA data. While improved safety measures and awareness have helped Dubai record zero traffic fatalities at school…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}