Motorists across the UAE are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys as schools reopen and traffic volumes increase, with congestion expected to be particularly heavy around school zones during morning and afternoon rush hours.
Taxi drivers who spend much of their working day on the roads said traffic has already begun increasing as residents return from their summer holidays. They expect some school areas to add between 15 and 30 minutes to journeys, while the first three days of the new academic year could bring the most unpredictable conditions.
Drivers identified Karama, Bur Dubai, Oud Metha, Garhoud, Al Twar, Al Nahda, Al Barsha and Al Quoz among the areas where congestion could build quickly. Roads surrounding schools and nearby residential communities are expected to experience some of the earliest delays.
Shahidul Islam, a taxi driver, said the increase in traffic was already noticeable.
“People who were on vacation are already back. We can feel the traffic now,” he said.
He expects heavier traffic around Garhoud, Al Nahda and Festival City, where roads serve several schools and residential areas.
Morning rush expected to start early
Drivers expect the busiest period to run from about 6am to 8am, with Al Twar, Garhoud and Oud Metha potentially seeing heavy traffic from 6.30am to 9am. Another surge is expected after 2pm when parents begin collecting children from school.
Mushtaq, another taxi driver, said motorists should not assume that avoiding one major road would guarantee a faster journey.
“During school hours, most roads will have traffic. Avoiding one road may not make much difference,” he said.
For journeys within Dubai, drivers recommend leaving 10 to 15 minutes earlier than normal. Those travelling directly through busy school zones may need an additional 15 to 30 minutes.
Sharjah-to-Dubai commuters have been advised to allow even more time. Mushtaq suggested leaving at least an hour earlier during peak periods, noting that roads entering Dubai become significantly busier after 7am.
Check traffic before leaving
Taxi drivers said smaller roads are not always faster because many pass through residential communities and school areas. They recommended checking live traffic conditions before setting out instead of automatically choosing shortcuts.
Islam advised motorists to use navigation services such as Google Maps to identify congestion and select alternative routes.
Recently opened roads, bridges and flyovers could also provide motorists with additional options. Drivers said these routes may reduce pressure in areas that previously experienced regular bottlenecks.
Major roads including Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Ittihad Road should also be monitored during peak periods.
Drivers expect conditions to become easier to predict after the first few days, once parents, school buses and commuters settle into their regular routines.
They also urged motorists to remain patient, avoid aggressive driving and never use mobile phones while driving.
“One small accident can add up to over an hour,” the drivers said, highlighting the importance of caution as traffic increases.
