Transport analysts told The National that the UAE's nine-hour daily limit on driving, which takes effect on 1 January, should reduce fatigue on the roads. Joseph Salem of Arthur D Little said the safety gain would be greatest for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), and noted that 12-hour shifts are currently the norm for many taxi drivers.
The newspaper cited figures showing HGV accidents in the UAE rose from 208 in 2022 to 332 in 2024, before easing to 325 last year. Conrad Phillips of National Compliance Training called fatigue one of the biggest killers in the HGV sector, and Thomas Edelmann of Road Safety UAE said tachographs, which log speed, distance and driving hours, are central to making the rule work.
The change also brings disruption. Because many drivers are paid on commission, fewer hours could cut their earnings, and Salem said companies may need new pay schemes or other incentives. He added that employers should be responsible for enforcing the limit, while Phillips stressed that operators remain fully responsible for their vehicles and operations.
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The National — insurance ↗This is an original summary of the linked report, selected by our GCC market monitor. Facts are attributed to the publication.