Sudden swerving has emerged as the leading cause of traffic accidents in the UAE, responsible for nearly one in six crashes on the country’s roads last year.
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Interior, a total of 6,014 traffic accidents were recorded across the emirates in 2025. The comprehensive figures provide a stark look at the habits and errors driving the accident toll, highlighting the urgent need for greater road safety awareness.
The data reveals that sudden swerving, which is often the result of missed exits, impatience, or lack of attention caused 905 accidents in 2025, making it the single biggest cause for crashes nationwide.
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While swerving topped the list, it was closely followed by two other highly preventable behaviours. Failing to leave a sufficient following distance, commonly known as tailgating, was the second leading cause, resulting in 663 accidents. Distraction while driving, which includes the use of mobile phones and other forms of inattention, ranked third, causing 551 crashes.
Together, this deadly trio of swerving, tailgating, and distraction accounted for more than a third of all traffic accidents in the UAE last year. Other significant causes included general negligence and lack of attention, which led to 499 incidents, and entering a road without ensuring it was clear, responsible for 339 crashes.
The Ministry of Interior data also sheds light on the types of accidents occurring on UAE roads. Collisions between vehicles were by far the most common, accounting for 4,085 incidents, or nearly 68 per cent of the total.
However, the figures also highlight a significant risk to pedestrians. Run-over accidents were the second most frequent type of incident, with 1,102 cases recorded in 2025 representing more than 18 per cent of all traffic accidents. Rollover accidents accounted for another 800 cases.
The data further points to specific violations that put both drivers and pedestrians in danger. Running a red light caused 195 accidents, while failing to give priority to pedestrians at designated crossings resulted in 37 incidents.
The statistics also offer insight into the experience levels of those involved in crashes. Out of the 6,014 total accidents, 885 involved motorists holding newly issued driving licences.
This means that new drivers were involved in nearly 15 per cent of all accidents last year, underscoring the importance of early-stage driver education and the need for caution among those newly navigating the country’s busy highways.
As the UAE continues to expand its road networks and welcome hundreds of thousands of new drivers each year, authorities are doubling down on enforcement and awareness campaigns.
With sudden swerving and distraction leading the accident toll, the message to motorists is to keep their eyes on the road, maintain the distance, and stay in their lane.
Source: Khaleej Times