Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the second edition of the Traffic Safety Film Festival, offering cash and honorary prizes worth up to AED300,000. The initiative is sponsored by Azizi Developments and builds on the success of the inaugural edition in 2025, which attracted more than 100 creative entries.The competition aims to promote awareness of safe road behaviour through short educational films that encourage compliance with traffic laws, reduce risky driving practices and foster a culture of road safety.The festival is open to community members, university students, government entities and private sector organisations, providing a platform to develop innovative awareness campaigns and impactful storytelling.Submissions will be accepted from 24 August to 22 November 2026 through the dedicated website: www.rta.ae/roadsafetyfilmfestival, where participants can find competition guidelines, eligibility criteria and submission requirements.Hussain Al Banna, Chief Executive Officer of RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency, said the initiative forms part of the authority's efforts to modernise traffic awareness tools and expand their reach through digital and visual content.He noted that the strong participation in the first edition demonstrated the effectiveness of creativity and visual storytelling in supporting traffic awareness campaigns.Al Banna said the second edition aims to provide greater opportunities for talent and innovative ideas while encouraging wider community participation in promoting road safety.The competition includes three main categories:Category One: Individuals and University StudentsBest Road Safety Awareness FilmFirst place: AED30,000Second place: AED20,000Third place: AED10,000Best Innovative Traffic Safety Film Using Modern TechnologiesFirst place: AED30,000Second place: AED20,000Third place: AED10,000Category Two: Government Entities and Private CompaniesGovernment Sector Traffic Safety AwardCommemorative shieldPrivate Sector Traffic Safety AwardCommemorative shieldCategory Three: Community CategoryBest Family Awareness Film(launched in line with the "Year of the Family")First place: AED30,000Second place: AED20,000Third place: AED10,000Traffic Accident Victims CategoryFirst place: AED30,000Second place: AED20,000Third place: AED10,000Al Banna said the traffic accident victims category has been designed to encourage films that highlight the consequences of unsafe driving and reinforce individual and collective responsibility on the roads.He added that visual content remains one of the most effective tools for communicating traffic safety messages, particularly on issues such as speeding, mobile phone use while driving and seat belt compliance.The RTA plans to incorporate winning films into its long-term traffic awareness programmes through educational lectures, workshops, public awareness campaigns and digital platforms to maximise their reach and impact.The festival forms part of the RTA's broader traffic safety and awareness strategy, which is guided by the vision of achieving zero fatalities and supporting Dubai and the UAE in attaining world-leading road safety standards.The strategy includes targeted programmes for students, truck drivers and delivery riders, as well as initiatives aimed at improving safety in residential areas and around schools through enhanced pedestrian crossings, signage, bridges and other safety measures.According to the RTA, the overarching goal is to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by combining education, awareness, safe road design and cooperation with strategic partners, including Dubai Police and other government entities.
