Can a single day change the way people drive? Can one campaign create lasting behavioural change that keeps roads safer for everyone? In the UAE, authorities believe it can. That is why the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has officially announced 25 August 2025 the first day of the new academic year, as A Day Without Accidents.
This date is not chosen at random. It marks the day students across the country return to school after the summer break. With the end of the quieter summer traffic period, the sudden spike in vehicles on the roads is inevitable.
Parents, school buses, and regular commuters all share the same routes, leading to congested streets and a higher risk of collisions. The initiative is designed to tackle this head-on by promoting careful, law-abiding driving on a day that historically sees a surge in traffic.
Why Was the Back-to-School Period Chosen for This Campaign?
The return to school marks one of the busiest traffic days of the year. Over the summer, road congestion typically drops due to family holidays and fewer daily commutes. But as the academic calendar resumes, there is an immediate increase in:
- Morning rush hour traffic as parents drop children at schools.
- Afternoon congestion as students are picked up.
- Heavy use of school buses alongside regular public and private transport.
By aligning A Day Without Accidents with this period, the authorities aim to minimise risks when roads are most crowded, while reminding drivers of their shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable road users children.
How Will Drivers Be Rewarded for Safe Driving on This Day?
The MOI has paired the awareness campaign with a tangible incentive to encourage participation. Drivers can submit a safety pledge on the official MOI website before the day of the initiative.
If they successfully complete 25 August 2025 without committing any traffic violations, four black points will be deducted from their driving licence.
This process is entirely electronic. There is no need to visit service centres or submit additional paperwork the deduction will automatically reflect on the licence by 15 September 2025.
The integration of rewards into road safety campaigns is a strategic move. While the long-term goal is behavioural change for its own sake, the immediate benefit of reducing black points can motivate even hesitant drivers to engage.
What Rules and Guidelines Should Drivers Follow on the Day?
The Federal Traffic Council has outlined essential driving behaviours that all motorists should follow, especially on A Day Without Accidents. These are not new laws but existing rules that are sometimes neglected, leading to recurring violations.
| Rule | Purpose |
| Wear seatbelts | Protects all passengers in case of sudden stops or collisions |
| Obey speed limits | Reduces accident severity and reaction times |
| Maintain safe distance | Prevents rear-end collisions |
| Avoid mobile phone use | Eliminates distraction risk |
| Give way to emergency vehicles | Ensures life-saving services are not delayed |
While these measures are highlighted for the campaign, they are intended to be part of everyday driving practice.
How Does This Initiative Address Recurring Traffic Violations?
According to Brigadier Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, A Day Without Accidents is not just about one day of safe driving. It is equally about addressing repeat offences and building awareness about the dangers of persistent rule-breaking.
Common violations, such as speeding through school zones, overtaking in prohibited areas, or ignoring pedestrian crossings, have long-term consequences beyond the immediate fine or penalty points.
By targeting these recurring issues, the initiative aims to promote a culture of safety rather than a culture of enforcement.
How Are the Police and Other Government Bodies Supporting the Day?
The campaign is a nationwide effort involving coordination between multiple entities. The MOI is leading the initiative, with all police departments across the seven emirates actively participating. Their activities include:
- Deploying additional patrols in school zones.
- Setting up awareness checkpoints where drivers are reminded of the campaign.
- Distributing educational material to parents, students, and drivers.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is also supporting the initiative with public announcements, targeted advertising, and offering free vehicle safety inspections in the days leading up to the event.
What Role Do Schools and Communities Play in Road Safety Awareness?
Schools are critical partners in this initiative. Many have already committed to holding assemblies and workshops where students learn about road safety, both as passengers and future drivers.
Community groups and local businesses are also contributing by promoting the campaign in their networks. Some companies are providing rewards for employees who pledge to participate, while others are offering free car safety checks.
The aim is to create a sense of shared responsibility, where every member of the community not just drivers, contributes to a safer environment.
How Can the Public Pledge Their Participation?
Making a pledge is straightforward. Drivers must:
- Visit the official MOI website.
- Fill in the online pledge form.
- Commit to following all traffic laws on 25 August 2025.
Once registered, the driver’s record will be monitored for violations on the campaign day. If no infractions are recorded, the promised black point deduction will be applied automatically.
How Does This Compare to Other Countries’ Road Safety Campaigns?
Globally, several countries observe road safety days, but the UAE’s model stands out for two reasons:
- Timing with peak traffic events: Linking it to back-to-school creates maximum impact.
- Incentive-based participation: The promise of a black point deduction offers immediate personal benefit alongside the societal benefit.
Countries like Sweden, Singapore, and Japan run similar initiatives but often without a tangible reward system, relying instead on awareness alone.
Can a Single Day Truly Change Driving Culture?
Sceptics may question whether one day can make a real difference. However, the goal is not to achieve permanent change overnight but to demonstrate that zero accidents are possible when drivers collectively commit to safety. Once this is proven, it becomes easier to encourage consistent safe behaviour.
Long-term, the UAE hopes to expand such initiatives beyond an annual event, potentially introducing multiple accident-free days each year, and integrating technology like AI-driven traffic monitoring to predict and prevent risky driving behaviour.
Conclusion – Could ‘A Day Without Accidents’ Be the Start of a Safer Era?
A Day Without Accidents is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a well-timed, carefully structured initiative that combines awareness, enforcement, and incentives to inspire change. By aligning the campaign with the start of the academic year, the UAE is targeting a high-risk period with maximum potential for impact.
If motorists embrace the initiative not just for one day but as a mindset, the UAE could take a major step toward its Vision Zero goal a future where road fatalities are eliminated entirely.
FAQs on ‘A Day Without Accidents’ UAE 2025
When will the campaign take place?
It is scheduled for 25 August 2025, the first day of the new school year.
What is the reward for safe driving?
Four black points will be removed from your driving licence if you pledge and drive without violations.
When will the points be deducted?
By 15 September 2025, processed electronically.
Who can participate?
Any driver licensed in the UAE.
What rules must be followed?
Wear seatbelts, obey speed limits, keep safe distances, avoid phone use, and give way to emergency vehicles.
Will it happen every year?
Yes, it is planned to coincide annually with back-to-school.
Can one day make a real difference?
Yes, by showing zero accidents is possible, it inspires long-term behavioural change.
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