Abu Dhabi removes 120kmph minimum speed on E311
Dh400 fines for slow driving now no longer applicable
DUBAI: Motorists on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road (E311) will no longer be required to maintain a minimum speed of 120 kilometres per hour, Abu Dhabi Mobility announced on Monday.
This significant policy shift, implemented less than two years after the limit’s introduction, is aimed at easing the movement of heavy vehicles and enhancing road safety across one of the capital’s busiest transport corridors.
The rule had originally come into effect in April 2023, with a minimum speed of 120kmph enforced on the two leftmost lanes. Vehicles travelling below that limit were subject to a fine of Dh400 for non-compliance.
New safety measures
The decision to lift the minimum speed requirement forms part of a wider safety strategy undertaken by the Integrated Transport Centre, under the Department of Municipalities and Transport. Just days earlier, authorities announced a 20kmph reduction in maximum speed limits on two major highways – Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road (E11) and Abu Dhabi–Sweihan Road (E20).
On E11, the top permitted speed will decrease from 160kmph to 140kmph. On E20, the new limit will be 100kmph, down from the previous 120kmph. These changes take effect from 14 April 2025.
Officials emphasised that the latest revisions are part of a broader campaign to reduce accident rates and promote safe driving practices across the emirate. The changes were publicised through official channels and social media platforms, urging drivers to remain alert and comply with all updated regulations.
The E311 policy update removes a point of contention among drivers, particularly those operating heavy vehicles, who often struggled to meet the previous minimum speed threshold.