Doctors in the UAE working in 13 critical medical specialties can now legally drive faster and access restricted lanes under a pioneering initiative aimed at cutting emergency response times and saving lives.
The Ministry of Interior’s 'Bin Wariqa' service allows select physicians to exceed speed limits by up to 40km/h, use road shoulders and bus lanes, and receive real-time support from traffic patrols while en route to emergency cases. The goal: to ensure swift, safe, and unhindered movement during life-threatening situations.
Launched in 2020 by Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the service is activated through a smart app once a hospital issues an emergency alert. The doctor’s route is then monitored live by the ministry’s operations room, with patrols deployed to clear the way. Each vehicle must be equipped with a triangular display device and a special green license plate to alert other drivers.
“This isn’t just for doctors — it’s for the patients whose lives depend on every second,”
said Colonel Dr Saeed Al-Dhahouri, Director of the Service Development Department.
To qualify, doctors must hold valid medical licenses, undergo specialised emergency driving training, and receive prior approval. Ministerial Resolution No. 248 of 2020 governs the service's road exemptions, ensuring it operates within strict regulatory bounds.
Since its launch, over 97% of targeted doctors have registered, and average response times have dropped by 30%. The ministry is now considering expanding the programme to cover more medical fields, with interest also coming from neighbouring Gulf countries.
Authorities are urging motorists to cooperate when they see a Bin Wariqa-registered vehicle — a sign that every second counts.
News Source: Khaleej Times
