A growing number of motorists in the UAE are reporting elevated levels of stress, frustration, and aggressive behavior on the roads, according to a new survey by RoadSafety UAE.
Commissioned by Al Wathba National Insurance, the study examines the emotional toll of traffic congestion and highlights the growing urgency to address daily gridlock, particularly in major cities like Dubai and Sharjah.
The survey revealed that 82 per cent of respondents frequently observe rude or aggressive behavior from fellow drivers. This behavior, experts warn, significantly raises the risk of road accidents.
“From a road safety perspective, traffic congestions should be avoided,” said Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafety UAE. “UAE motorists notice a lot of rude or aggressive behavior in traffic jams and hence, the awareness for polite and caring manners must be raised.”
Almost half of the respondents (47 per cent) admitted to feeling frustrated, annoyed, or very stressed due to daily commutes. These emotions are even more pronounced among female drivers and younger motorists.
Only 29 per cent claimed to be indifferent or calm during traffic jams, while 19 per cent said they felt bored or restless. A small fraction—just 5 per cent—said they actually enjoyed the downtime in traffic.
The report is a follow-up to an earlier June 2024 survey that highlighted worsening road congestion across the UAE. The problem appears to be particularly acute in Dubai and Sharjah, where nearly 90 per cent of motorists reported facing traffic jams on a regular basis. In Dubai, 85 per cent of respondents said congestion had worsened compared to the previous year.
Notably, only 18 per cent of drivers say they “hardly ever” witness aggressive road behavior, with that figure falling to just 15 per cent in Dubai. More than a third of respondents observe aggressive behavior “very often,” and nearly half see it “occasionally.”
At the root of the issue is the UAE’s high dependency on cars. The survey found that 92 per cent of respondents use a personal vehicle or taxi daily, with only 8 per cent opting for public transport or alternative modes such as e-scooters or bicycles.
Furthermore, 60 per cent use their own car, and over half of them travel alone—54 per cent overall and 62 per cent in Sharjah.
The survey suggests that reducing the number of vehicles on the road, especially single-occupancy cars, could be a key solution. “One opportunity is to gradually increase the number of people per car,” Edelmann said.
In Dubai, 43 per cent of motorists usually have one or two passengers, a practice that could serve as a model for other emirates. “It would be interesting to understand the reasons for this and how other emirates and especially Sharjah can learn from it,” the report added.