Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police General Command have announced changes to the maximum speed limits on five major roads across the emirate, effective November 1, 2026. The changes will increase speed limits on three roads and reduce them on two, in both directions.
RTA said the adjustments were made in coordination with Dubai Police and are aligned with the objectives of Dubai’s traffic safety strategy and the indicators of the 2025 Traffic Safety Performance Evaluation Plan.
The changes are based on updated technical specifications in the Speed Management Manual issued in 2026. They follow a comprehensive engineering and technical study conducted in coordination with a global consultant over recent months, with the aim of improving traffic flow and safety while ensuring speed limits reflect road conditions and traffic patterns.
The maximum speed limit will increase on three roads in both directions:
- Al Asayel Street: from 60 to 80 km/h, between Oud Metha Street and Al Meydan Street.
- Al Mustaqbal Street: from 60 to 70 km/h, between Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Meydan Street.
- Latifa Bint Hamdan Street: from 60 to 70 km/h, between Sheikh Zayed Street and Al Khail Street.
Speed limits will be reduced on two roads in both directions:
- Rabat Street: from 100 to 90 km/h, between Marrakech Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street.
- Sheikh Sabah bin Ahmed Al Sabah Street: from 80 to 70 km/h, between December 2nd Street and Khalid bin Al Walid Street.
RTA said the adjustments comply with engineering standards set out in technical manuals covering road design and speed management. The authority uses the Dubai Emirate Speed Management Manual, which incorporates the latest international best practices, when reviewing speed limits.
The changes form part of ongoing periodic reviews of speed limits and the operational efficiency of Dubai’s key roads. They are also being implemented alongside traffic development and improvement projects on several major routes.
The manual sets standards and criteria designed to balance appropriate speeds, smooth traffic flow and road safety. Factors considered when setting maximum speed limits include traffic volumes, road design speeds, the level of urban development on either side of the road, the speeds at which 85% of motorists travel, pedestrian movement and the presence of other vital facilities.
RTA will replace traffic signs displaying the maximum legal speed on the affected sections in accordance with approved specifications and standards. Speed enforcement radars will also be reprogrammed ahead of the new limits taking effect on November 1, 2026.