Sharjah Unveils New Bike and Heavy Vehicle Lane Regulations for Enhanced Mobility and Safety

Sharjah police will enforce dedicated traffic lanes for motorcycles, heavy vehicles, and buses starting November 1st. The new system assigns specific lanes to different vehicle types across all major and secondary roads in the emirate, with heavy fines for violations.

The traffic reorganization comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and traffic flow in one of the UAE's busiest emirates. Sharjah handles significant commercial traffic due to its strategic location and industrial zones, making lane discipline crucial for preventing accidents.

Here's how the new lane system works: Heavy vehicles and buses must use the far-right lane on all roads. Motorcycles get more flexibility depending on road size. On four-lane roads, they can use the third and fourth lanes from the right. Three-lane roads allow motorcycles in the middle or right lanes. Two-lane roads restrict them to the right side only.

The rules apply to all motorcycles, including the growing fleet of delivery bikes that have become common across UAE cities. Food delivery and e-commerce growth has put more two-wheelers on the roads, creating new safety challenges that these dedicated lanes aim to address.

Enforcement will be comprehensive. Smart radars and modern camera systems will monitor compliance around the clock across Sharjah's road network. Traffic patrols will also conduct regular checks to ensure drivers follow the new lane assignments.

The penalties are substantial. Heavy vehicle drivers who ignore mandatory lane rules face 1,500 dirhams in fines plus 12 traffic points under federal traffic law Article 8. Other drivers violating traffic signs and instructions get 500 dirham fines under Article 70.

This move reflects broader traffic management trends across the UAE, where rapid population growth and economic expansion have strained road infrastructure. By separating different vehicle types, authorities hope to reduce speed differentials between lanes and cut accident rates.

The initiative particularly targets delivery motorcycle safety, an area of growing concern as online shopping and food delivery services expand. These bikes often weave between lanes or ride in inappropriate areas, creating risks for both riders and other drivers.