Abu Dhabi Implements a Minimum Speed Limit on a Major Highway
Posted by Ahmad Rashad Al Zeer on May 4, 2023
A new rule has been introduced in Abu Dhabi regarding the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road, which mandates a minimum speed limit. Although some roads in the UAE already had minimum speed requirements, this is the first time that the government is enforcing them through legal means. Drivers who travel at a speed less than 120km/h will be penalized with a fine of AED 400.
The road transportation system in the UAE is recognized as one of the most sophisticated in the world, with all roads being well-indicated and highways being incredibly spacious. A vast majority of motorists in the UAE adhere to the rules and regulations, and those who violate them are subjected to significant fines. Obtaining a driving license in the UAE is challenging, and as a result, drivers in the country are generally acknowledged as some of the most skilled drivers globally.
The UAE has set the world's highest posted speed limit due to the outcomes mentioned earlier. Several highways in the Emirates have a maximum speed limit of 160km/h, allowing drivers to reach their destinations quicker. With the implementation of a fine for driving below the minimum speed limit, the UAE has now become one of the limited nations globally to enforce such a regulation.
On the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road located in Abu Dhabi, passenger vehicles are authorized to travel at a maximum speed of 140km/h, irrespective of the lane they are driving in. However, trucks are only allowed to use the right lane, and their speed limit is restricted to 80km/h.
The leftmost two lanes on the road now have a compulsory minimum speed limit of 120km/h. Drivers who fail to maintain this speed will be subjected to a penalty, which was initially introduced and enforced from April 01, 2023. In the initial month, offenders were only issued a warning. However, starting from May 01, 2023, drivers who do not meet the minimum speed requirement will be charged a fine of AED 400.
The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road is among the most extensive highways in the UAE and is designated as Highway E311. It spans from the Emirates Roundabout located in Ras Al Khaimah and extends up to the Al Falah intersection located in Abu Dhabi.