Dubai Police train over 140 school security guards in traffic safety management

Dubai Police train over 140 school security guards in traffic safety management

Dubai Police has completed traffic safety training for more than 140 security guards working at 35 schools across Dubai, as part of efforts to enhance student safety during the busy 2026-2027 academic year.

The training programme focused on equipping security personnel with practical skills to manage traffic flow around school premises and respond appropriately to minor incidents during drop-off and pick-up times.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said the sessions were part of the force's collaborative approach to improving traffic safety around educational institutions. The training would enable security guards to handle minor traffic-related incidents at their workplaces and take appropriate action until relevant authorities arrive on scene.

Comprehensive school safety deployment

The training initiative forms part of Dubai Police's broader School Security programme for the 2026-2027 academic year, which has deployed 253 security and traffic patrols, 28 drones, and 775 police personnel to ensure student safety during school hours. The programme also includes participation from 217 students in the Safety Ambassadors initiative, who work alongside police personnel to promote school safety.

More than 1.27 million students are expected to return to over 1,180 public and private schools across the UAE on August 31, 2026. Dubai's private school sector alone recorded 387,441 students across 227 schools in the 2024-25 academic year, marking a 6% increase from the previous year.

Practical training for real situations

First Warrant Officer Ahmed Mohammad Khalaf conducted the sessions, which covered common traffic scenarios that security guards may encounter around schools. Participants learned how to report minor traffic accidents through the Dubai Police smart app 'We are All Police', which offers services in seven languages including Arabic and English.

The training included briefings on traffic signs, safety regulations, and techniques for maintaining smooth vehicle flow during peak school hours. Guards took part in hands-on exercises based on situations they could face while on duty, including responding to minor accidents and managing traffic near school entrances and exits.

Traffic regulations and school bus safety

Security personnel were trained on key traffic regulations in school zones, where speed limits range from 30 to 40 km/h. Violations carry fines from AED 300 to AED 3,000 depending on severity. The training emphasised that failing to stop when a school bus extends its stop sign arm carries a fine of AED 1,000 and 10 black points on the driver's licence, while not giving priority to pedestrians at marked crossings results in an AED 500 fine and six black points.

The programme covered safe boarding and alighting procedures for school buses, teaching participants how to respond calmly and effectively to traffic or security emergencies while protecting students until police or emergency teams arrive.

Expanding infrastructure demands

The timing of the training programme aligns with significant expansion in Dubai's education sector. The emirate will open 26 new private education institutions in 2026-27, including seven schools that will add nearly 17,000 seats, creating additional traffic pressure points that require trained personnel for effective management.