Fujairah Tops UAE Cities for Road Conditions

Fujairah has been recognized as the most comfortable city in the UAE for drivers, according to the Bin Yaber Driving Institute. In a new internal ranking, updated on May 19, 2026, the emirate scored 96.7 out of 100 points, taking first place among the country's cities based on a combination of road safety and traffic efficiency indicators.

Ajman took second place with a score of 83.7 points. Ras Al Khaimah secured third position, scoring 80.0 points. Sharjah followed in the ranking with 61.4 points, and Umm Al Quwain with 60.0 points.

The study shows that in the UAE, increasing attention is being paid not only to the development of road infrastructure but also to the quality of the urban environment, the level of safety, and the convenience of daily commutes.

Why Fujairah Scored the Highest

Fujairah's top ranking is due to a combination of low road congestion, stable average traffic speed, and strong safety indicators.

According to TomTom data for 2025, the road congestion level in Fujairah was 23.2%. The average traffic speed reached 36.6 km/h, and the time lost by drivers in peak-hour traffic jams was 29 hours per year. These are the best traffic performance indicators among the cities included in the study.

Additionally, Bin Yaber recorded a road accident fatality rate of 3% for Fujairah, and the proportion of serious accidents at 6%. It is this combination of free-flowing traffic and a relatively safe road environment that allowed the emirate to achieve the maximum overall score.

How the Bin Yaber Ranking Was Formed

The ranking was compiled based on seven indicators. The calculations used TomTom traffic data for 2025 and UAE.Stat road traffic injury statistics for 2023.

The study's methodology placed particular emphasis on safety, which accounted for 76% of the final score, while traffic efficiency made up 24%.

The evaluation criteria included:

• road accident fatality rate;
• proportion of serious accidents;
• proportion of moderate accidents;
• proportion of minor accidents;
• road congestion level;
• time lost in peak-hour traffic jams;
• average traffic speed.

All indicators were scaled from 0 to 100, where a higher score signifies safer and more comfortable conditions for drivers.

This approach indicates that when assessing road quality, the key factor remains not only travel speed but also the preservation of road users' lives and health.

Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah entered the top three

Ajman secured second place due to moderate road congestion and a relatively high average speed. According to TomTom's 2025 data, the emirate's congestion level was 34.1%, drivers lost approximately 46 hours per year in traffic, and the average speed reached 36.1 km/h.

Ras Al Khaimah took third place with a score of 80.0 points. In the emirate, the road congestion level was 24%, time lost in traffic was 33 hours per year, and the average speed was 35.2 km/h.

These indicators confirm that the northern emirates maintain a competitive advantage in terms of transport comfort, especially for residents who value a calmer pace of life and convenient daily commutes.

Why Dubai and Abu Dhabi ranked lower

The country's largest business centers — Abu Dhabi and Dubai — occupied lower positions in the overall ranking due to higher traffic density.

Abu Dhabi scored 49.7 points and ranked sixth. According to TomTom, the road congestion level in the UAE capital in 2025 was 29.6%, and time lost in peak-hour traffic reached 57 hours per year.

Dubai took seventh place with a score of 39.6 points. The emirate's road congestion level was 42.7%, and time lost in traffic jams was 72 hours per year.

Bin Yaber also noted a relatively low road accident fatality rate: 7% in Abu Dhabi and 5% in Dubai. This indicates that even with high traffic intensity, the country's largest cities maintain strong road safety performance.

Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain: Different Factors in the Final Assessment

Sharjah took fourth position with a score of 61.4 points. The city recorded the highest road congestion level among the study participants — 50.1%. Drivers in Sharjah lose approximately 79 hours per year in traffic, which was the maximum figure in TomTom's 2025 database for UAE cities included in the ranking.

Umm Al Quwain ranked fifth with 60.0 points. Its result was driven by a low proportion of road accidents, which partially offset a higher mortality rate reflected in safety statistics.

The Importance of Transport Infrastructure for the UAE Real Estate Market

The quality of road infrastructure directly impacts the attractiveness of districts and cities for living, renting, and real estate investment. For homebuyers in the UAE, not only the property's cost, size, and complex amenities are important, but also daily transport accessibility, travel time, road safety, and the convenience of inter-emirate travel.

The strong performance of Fujairah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah may further boost interest in these areas from buyers considering properties for personal residence, long-term rental, or portfolio diversification outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

For investors, such rankings are important as an additional indicator of urban environment quality. A more comfortable transport situation can support demand for housing from families, expatriates, employees of local companies, and tenants who seek a peaceful lifestyle while maintaining access to UAE infrastructure.

Conclusion

The Bin Yaber Driving Institute ranking showed that Fujairah emerged as the leader among UAE cities for its combination of road safety and transport comfort. The emirate scored 96.7 out of 100 thanks to low congestion, minimal time lost in traffic, and strong safety indicators.

Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah also confirmed their advantages as cities with freer traffic and moderate road risks. For the UAE real estate market, such data holds practical significance: transport accessibility and safety are becoming important factors when choosing a property for living, renting, and long-term investments.