When Exhaustion Becomes a Death Trap: The Alarming Reality of Drowsy Taxi Drivers in Dubai

A chilling account recently surfaced on Reddit that should serve as a wake-up call for Dubai's transportation sector. A passenger traveling from Dubai International Airport to Jumeirah Lake Towers at 5 a.m. found themselves in a nightmare scenario: their taxi driver was literally falling asleep at the wheel while speeding down Sheikh Zayed Road. The driver, who had taken "strong medicine that makes me sleep," continued to experience micro-sleeps—brief episodes where his eyes closed for seconds at a time—causing the vehicle to drift dangerously as other motorists honked in alarm. When confronted, the driver admitted he "can't stop driving for now" and planned to continue for "a few more trips" despite his condition.​

This disturbing incident isn't an isolated case. It's a symptom of a systemic problem that puts thousands of passengers and road users at risk daily.

The Prevalence of Driver Fatigue in Dubai

Driver fatigue has been identified as a major contributing factor in UAE road accidents. According to Dubai Police, falling asleep at the wheel is "one of the leading causes of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities and severe injuries". Just recently in September 2025, a truck driver on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road fell asleep, lost control, and crashed into another vehicle, causing significant injuries and traffic disruption. This incident prompted Brigadier Jumaa bin Suwaidan, Director of Dubai Police's General Department of Traffic, to issue stern warnings about the deadly consequences of drowsy driving.​

Research indicates that approximately 20% of all crashes and 16% of near-crashes involve drivers showing signs of fatigue. In Abu Dhabi specifically, police statistics from 2011 revealed that sleepy drivers caused 28 accidents resulting in six deaths and nine serious injuries. A 2012 study on sleep-related collisions in the UAE found that 5% of all road traffic collisions were directly attributed to drivers falling asleep behind the wheel.​

The problem is particularly acute among professional drivers. A report by Dubai Taxi Corporation acknowledged that "many of the emirate's taxi drivers are putting in so many hours on the road that they are at risk of dozing off when driving". Multiple passengers have reported taxi drivers falling asleep during rides, with one Gulf News reader stating: "I have personally seen taxi drivers falling asleep while driving".​

The Root Cause: Brutal Working Conditions

The explanation for this epidemic of drowsy driving lies in the punishing conditions faced by Dubai's taxi drivers. Despite UAE Labour Law stipulating that workers should work a maximum of eight hours per day with at least one weekly day off, the reality for taxi drivers is vastly different.​

Almost all taxi drivers in Dubai work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, with some working these conditions for 10 months straight. Many drivers report actually working 16-17 hours daily to meet their targets. One Sri Lankan driver explained: "I work 16 to 17 hours to meet the target set for me daily. I must earn Dh400". A Bangladeshi driver shared: "My shift starts at 4am and I go through until 4pm. I get tired but what can I do?"​

The commission-based payment system creates perverse incentives that encourage dangerous overwork. Drivers typically earn 20-35% commission based on monthly collections, with targets ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 9,000. To reach the 30% commission tier (AED 9,000 monthly target), drivers must work those grueling 12-14 hour shifts daily. Those who fail to meet minimum thresholds—sometimes as high as AED 4,500—receive no commission at all.​

As one driver poignantly stated: "Poor people like me have no choice. We have to work like this". The average annual earnings amount to only AED 47,000 (approximately $12,800), forcing drivers to maximize their hours on the road.​

The Human Toll

The consequences of this system extend far beyond drowsy driving. Dr. Chithra Shamsudheen, who has treated numerous taxi drivers, reports common ailments including neck problems, diabetes, hypertension, hyperacidity, and heart problems—all linked to the sedentary yet stressful nature of prolonged driving. "Fatigue is also a problem especially if they're not taking enough water and salt, especially in summer," she noted, explaining that drivers often consume excessive tea and coffee to stay awake, which only worsens dehydration.​

Medical experts emphasize that fatigue has three critical effects on driving: it slows reaction time, impairs coordination, and affects judgment. Dr. Andrew Devine of The City Hospital warned: "Just one hour less sleep a night for a week reduces cognitive function while carrying out complex tasks". The comparison to drunk driving is apt—Dr. Hamad Al Baloushi of Abu Dhabi Police stated: "Being overly tired and sleepy has similar influence as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs".​

For passengers, the experience is terrifying. In the recent Reddit incident, the passenger described their heart racing throughout the journey, torn between jumping out of the moving vehicle or grabbing the steering wheel. Other passengers have reported similar nerve-wracking experiences with aggressive acceleration, hard braking, and reckless driving attributed to driver exhaustion.​

Regulatory Gaps and Failed Reforms

While RTA guidelines stipulate that drivers shouldn't work more than 12 hours per day, enforcement remains problematic. The RTA announced in 2017 that Dubai Taxi Corporation drivers would receive one day off per week as part of initiatives to "alleviate the workload of drivers" and "enhance traffic safety by reducing the number of accidents". However, multiple reports from 2021 and beyond indicate these reforms have not been fully implemented across all taxi companies.​

The RTA acknowledged in 2021 that it was "studying working conditions of taxi drivers from different aspects and considering the coordination with the applicable laws". Yet drivers continue to report working seven days a week with no overtime pay, as they are paid entirely on commission rather than receiving proper salaries.​

Some technological solutions have been attempted. In 2021, Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority trialled the "Shaheen" smart system—an AI-powered camera that monitors drivers' facial features and sends alerts to a command center if signs of fatigue are detected. However, such systems have not been widely implemented across Dubai's taxi fleet.​

A Call for Systemic Change

The Reddit passenger who reported the drowsy driver concluded with a powerful statement: "I reported it, not to get him in trouble, but because this is how tragedies happen... People shouldn't have to risk their lives to keep their jobs". This sentiment captures the crux of the issue—this is not about punishing individual drivers, but about addressing the systemic failures that force them into dangerous situations.​

Real reform requires multiple interventions: enforcing maximum working hours with adequate rest periods, restructuring the commission system to remove pressure for excessive hours, providing proper base salaries rather than pure commission arrangements, increasing fleet sizes to reduce individual driver workload, implementing mandatory fatigue monitoring technology, and ensuring regular health checks for professional drivers.

Until these fundamental changes occur, Dubai's roads will continue to be populated by exhausted drivers fighting to stay awake—turning every taxi ride into a potential tragedy. The recent incident serves as yet another warning that cannot be ignored. The question is no longer whether change is needed, but how many more close calls—or actual fatalities—it will take before that change finally happens.