Two-minute drive takes 30 minutes: UAE residents endure peak traffic
People report that the traffic builds up from as early as 6.30am and continues till late morning
For numerous Dubai and Sharjah inhabitants, leaving their community via the only available exit to the main road takes over half an hour. What is a quick 2-minute drive to the freeway during less busy hours transforms into a daily source of stress. The traffic jams extend for miles during the rush hours.
People in different neighborhoods share their regular hassle. They say the traffic build-up begins around 6:30 am and often goes on till late morning. Having just a single way out to a main road, countless cars accumulate. This causes slow traffic jams that extend throughout the local areas.
For half a decade, Ahmed Rizwan, a professional engineer at a tech company, has called Dubai Production City his home. He reports that merely reaching the exit requires roughly 25 minutes of his time.
In our neighborhood, we've got two ways out. However, one's blocked because of some construction work. So everybody has to use this one exit that leads to E311, or go via Al Fay Road to get to E311. Rizwan chimes in, stating that even Al Fay Road gets jammed during the busiest hours.
"Years back, my office journey took just thirty minutes. Now, it gulps up an hour one way and another to come back," Rizwan voiced.
Should reach school on time
Dr Ghadeer H, an Egyptian dentist operating in a Dubai government facility, encounters daily challenges. "The traffic holds me up for half an hour just to get on the expressway," shared Ghadeer.
Dr Ghadeer resides in Sharjah's Al Tawoon area. The area has only one exit heading out to Al Ittihad Road causing heavy traffic. She manages dropping her kids to school before going to her clinic each day. "I have to get going as early as 6.30 am to get my kids to Al Nahda Dubai school. The main highway Al Ittihad Road isn't far from my house. If I lag by just 10 minutes, the journey to the highway takes almost 30 minutes," Dr Ghadeer mentioned.
"Once I get there, I usually find myself stuck in congested traffic. It usually takes me over an hour to get to my clinic each day," Dr. Ghadeer revealed.
Opting for a longer route
Similarly, folks living in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) are dealing with everyday traffic trouble. The reason? There are not enough ways to get to the closest highway, said Dr. Mustafa Aldah. This is an Emirati expert on traffic and transportation safety. He spoke about the busy traffic going in and out of his area.
Dr Aldah's schedule shifts notably due to his work-from-home status and the challenge of getting his kids to school.
"Each day, I face a challenging choice - do I pick the quick way, always crowded in rush hours, or choose the lengthier route?" Dr Aldah opens up.
"Oddly enough, the extended path isn't that much different time-wise compared to the quicker one. But, the short route's packed traffic simply worsens things. It’s more than just time; it's dealing with relentless traffic jams regularly," Dr. Aldah explained.
Dr. Aldah noted a sudden closing of a big crossroad on Jumeirah Village Street 1. This has worsened traffic. Because of the closure, there is a long detour. This goes through a stoplight. It's been messy during busy hours in recent weeks. People who live here are puzzled. They're not sure why this happened. No updates have been put up at the detour. There's no sign of any building work either," Dr. Aldah stated.
In his role as a safety expert for traffic and transportation, Dr. Mustafa Aldah candidly shared his own experiences with Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) traffic. He also offered helpful advice for commuters to manage congested traffic better and more safely.
Here, Dr. Aldah provides advice for residents to lower stress levels and increase road safety:
Be cautious when road surfaces change
"Take care when moving between different road surfaces like asphalt, concrete, or interlock. People often don't understand how risky uneven roads can be, causing accidents," stated Dr Aldah. He stressed that you should drive slower and stay a safe distance from the car in front. This is especially important when near areas where the road might suddenly change.
Check real-time traffic
Tech tools come in handy for dodging traffic mess. Relying on map apps for less crowded pathways is Dr. Aldah's tip. "Folks often follow regular routes from habit. Yet, apps like Google Maps provide live traffic news and quick options," he shared. "Peak times call for preemptive app checks to guarantee smooth travel." He also reminded about early departures and organized plans to escape worst traffic scenarios if possible.
Carpooling
Dr Aldah advises an approach called carpooling. It gets folks to share rides with others who live close by or work at the same place. "Carpooling helps our planet. It cuts down on cars," he explained. "In places like JVC, if more folks carpooled, there'd be less traffic." By taking turns driving with pals or workmates, people can cut down on travel costs and stress.
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