The Directorate General of Traffic within the Ministry of Interior has completed its preparations for the new school year, positioning resources to handle the expected surge in traffic. Acting Director of the Traffic Awareness Department Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Bu Hassan outlined the measures in a recent interview with local media. These include the deployment of 200 traffic patrols and 420 officers to key locations around schools to manage flow and respond to congestion. The initiative forms part of a broader Prevention and Safety campaign designed to protect young commuters.
The total number of students returning stands at 481,511, a figure provided by the Ministry of Education for the 2026-2027 academic year. This encompasses pupils from kindergarten through secondary levels in both public and private institutions across the country. To ease the initial pressure on the road network, the school start dates are staggered, with some grades beginning on different days this week. The approach helps distribute the traffic load more evenly throughout the day.
The traffic management system linked to 258 intersections allows for dynamic signal adjustments based on current conditions, the directorate’s assessment found. Additionally, 338 cameras provide comprehensive coverage of roads and junctions, enabling rapid intervention when issues arise. Bu Hassan stressed the importance of these tools in maintaining safety for students and other road users during the peak periods. He noted that the combination of human and technological resources would help prevent accidents near school gates.
A collaborative awareness campaign titled “With our determination, we achieve our dream” has been initiated by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Information and the Government Communication Center. The effort aims to foster discipline and preparedness among students and drivers alike through various media channels. Similar campaigns in previous years contributed to a reduction in traffic violations during the critical first weeks of school, according to ministry records from past operations. The messages focus on the shared responsibility for safe roads.
In the prior academic year, student enrollment reached approximately 520,271, according to a Ministry of Education briefing. The current preparations account for any shifts in numbers while focusing on high-risk areas near educational facilities in densely populated areas. Officials have called on parents and drivers to cooperate by following all traffic regulations and avoiding unnecessary trips during school hours to support a seamless transition. This cooperation is expected to minimize delays and enhance overall safety.
