Dubai: 13 killed in 5 months due to jaywalking, e-scooter violations

Dubai: Dubai Police have reported 13 fatalities in the first five months of 2025 directly linked to unsafe road behaviours. Of these, nine deaths were due to jaywalking, and four resulted from improper e-scooter use. This concerning trend has prompted a renewed crackdown on violators.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operations at Dubai Police, stated that most of these tragic incidents occurred in high-traffic areas, emphasizing the severe risks posed by such violations. In the same period, authorities issued a significant 28,027 fines for jaywalking and confiscated 15,029 e-scooters for breaching traffic regulations.

According to Al Mazrouei, many e-scooter violations involved riding in non-designated areas, a lack of essential safety gear like helmets, and operation by underage or unqualified individuals. He stressed that these behaviors highlight "persistent dangerous habits that put lives at risk — whether it's ignoring pedestrian crossings or using scooters unsafely in inappropriate areas."

Al Mazrouei reiterated that Dubai Police, in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), are actively conducting continuous awareness and educational campaigns. These initiatives specifically target youth and visitors in residential and commercial zones, aiming to foster a culture of compliance and promote overall road safety.

"Traffic safety is a shared responsibility," he added. "Ignoring laws doesn’t just lead to fines — it can have tragic consequences, as we've seen recently." He urged the public to utilise pedestrian bridges and designated crossings and to strictly follow official guidelines for e-scooter usage to ensure smoother traffic flow and enhanced safety for everyone.

The public is encouraged to report dangerous behaviors through Dubai Police's "Police Eye" service on their official app or by calling the "We Are All Police" hotline at 901.