The UAE has some of the finest roads in the world. For those who have driven mainly in India, the roads in this part of the Middle East is like being ushered into a different world. I have driven on the Pune-Mumbai expressway but I will say it pales into insignificance. The road may be passable, but the number of other attractions makes travel on this road look unreal. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are twin cities. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE while Dubai is the commercial center rivaling London as a financial center. The two are connected by a super-highway
which about 140 km in length.The road has a minimum speed of 100km an hour at most stretches and going slow on the road can entail a fine. There are no cops on the road and it is a surprise to a driver from India that there is not a single policeman anywhere to be seen on the road. This does not mean the road is not regulated as it is covered by a string of CCTV cameras who record every move of the motorist from speed to changing lanes. These are recorded and within 24 hours a motorist who infringes a traffic rule will receive a bill for payment. It is just as information, as the money is automatically deducted from the bank account.
Thus all motrists driving in the UAE must have a linked bank account.The road is 6-8 lane traffic highway and as one starts from the city of Abu Dhabi a plethora of flyovers takes you out from the city. The road has petrol pumps on the way. But they are not mere petrol stations but have a lot more from mini supermarkets to cafeterias. One can eat a lovely breakfast or a lunch or dinner meal. The cafeterias and the petrol stations are a revelation and need to be approached from the highway as they are neatly tucked away. Stopping at these stations is by itself great fun. The fuel or gas is cheap. But no diesel vehicles are on the road and that for Indians will be a surprise.
Anther thing that will surprise drivers is the almost complete absence of small cars like the Maruti 800 on the roads. In addition, many big cars like the Rolls Royce are a frequent site. I am afraid, even in a city like Mumbai one does not get to see a Rolls on the road. Driving on the Abu Dhabi road to Dubai is an experience and one that a motorist will relish.
