By Staff Reporter
Dubai and Sharjah commuters faced significant delays on Tuesday morning as dense fog reduced visibility to below 1,000 metres in several areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
The fog alert, in effect until 9am, created hazardous driving conditions across internal and coastal regions of the UAE. Authorities urged motorists to exercise caution, reduce speed, and maintain safe distances between vehicles.
Sharjah Police issued a public advisory calling on drivers to remain vigilant, leave sufficient space between cars, and adjust speeds to suit reduced visibility conditions. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also warned residents to expect delays on major highways.
Heavy Congestion on Key Routes
The challenging weather compounded the usual morning rush, leading to severe congestion on major corridors linking Sharjah and Dubai.
In Sharjah, Al Wahda Street experienced heavy traffic from Al Khan to Al Mulla Plaza, with delays extending travel times by up to 25 minutes during peak hours. The road near Sahara Centre and Sharjah Airport Road also saw stop-and-go conditions.
Industrial Area 3 and surrounding zones reported bumper-to-bumper traffic, particularly along 125 Street and 4 Street. Al Nahda near the S102 Sharjah Ring Road emerged as a major bottleneck, while Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) recorded some of the longest delays.
From Al Zahia City Centre in Sharjah to Muhaisnah 4 in Dubai, commuters experienced delays of 35 to 45 minutes on what is typically a 15-minute stretch.
Dubai Roads Affected
Within Dubai, E11 Al Ittihad Road remained heavily congested as vehicles entered from Sharjah. Ras Al Khor Road (E44), especially between Dubai Design District and Business Bay, witnessed moderate to severe traffic buildup.
Al Khail Road saw additional delays of 15 to 25 minutes, particularly near business and educational hubs. In Al Warqa’a 1 and Al Quoz Industrial Area 2, traffic moved slowly as commuter and commercial vehicles shared busy streets.
Alternative Routes Offer Relief
Some motorists opted for Emirates Road (E611), which showed comparatively smoother flow despite covering a longer distance. Routes through Academic City and the Dubai-Al Ain Road via Mirdif provided partial relief for drivers heading toward Festival City and Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Safety Advisory
Authorities reminded drivers to:
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Use low-beam headlights in foggy conditions
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Avoid hazard lights while driving
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Maintain at least 3–5 car lengths between vehicles
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Reduce speed and avoid sudden braking
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Stay within designated lanes
With winter weather patterns continuing to bring variable conditions, residents are encouraged to check live traffic updates before travelling, allow extra time for commutes, and consider public transport options such as the Dubai Metro where possible.
