UAE Introduces New Traffic Laws Effective From 1 November

Sharjah Police will start regulating lane usage for motorcycles, buses, and heavy vehicles starting November 1. The move aims to enhance road safety, improve mobility, and ensure smoother traffic flow, the General Command of Sharjah Police announced.

In coordination with the Roads and Transport Authority, police confirmed that dedicated lanes will be assigned on major and secondary roads across the emirate.

Lane Rules Explained

• The far-right lane is reserved for buses and heavy vehicles.
• Motorbikes, including delivery bikes, are banned from the far-left fast lane.
• On four-lane roads, motorcycles may use the two right-most lanes.
• On three-lane roads, they may use the middle or right lane.
• On two-lane roads, they may ride only in the right lane.

24/7 Monitoring and Fines

Sharjah will monitor compliance using radars and smart camera systems deployed across various roads. According to federal law:

• Heavy vehicles that ignore mandatory lanes face a Dh1,500 fine and 12 traffic points (Article 8).
• Drivers who disobey traffic instructions face a Dh500 fine (Article 70).

Authorities urged motorists to respect the assigned lanes to reduce violations and prevent accidents.

Restrictions Align with Other Emirates

This decision follows similar actions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman:

• Dubai RTA banned delivery riders from fast lanes starting November 1. They cannot use the two left-most lanes on wider roads.
• Abu Dhabi allows delivery bikes only in the right lane on high-speed roads (100 km/h+). Heavy vehicles also face peak-hour driving bans.
• Ajman requires delivery bikes to stay in the two right lanes on wider roads.

Meanwhile, heavy vehicles weighing over 65 tonnes remain banned across UAE roads since early 2024.

Goal: Safer Roads Across the UAE

Sharjah Police said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to road safety and quality of life. By enforcing strict lane discipline and using smart surveillance, authorities aim to reduce congestion and protect road users.