As Dubai grows and traffic volumes continue to rise, managing congestion has become a defining challenge for the city’s transport planners. One of the most visible tools in place today is Salik, the road tolling system designed to regulate demand on key corridors. But as tolling evolves, so too does driver behaviour including the increasing trend of rat running through local streets.

Do Tolls Work?

The main aim of Salik is to shift journeys away from the busiest times and locations, encouraging drivers to consider alternatives. By putting a price on peak-hour road space, tolling can reduce demand and smooth traffic across the day. The evidence shows that in many cases, this works with traffic patterns adjusting and major corridors seeing relief.

The Rat Running Dilemma

Yet, not every driver can shift time or mode. Some still need to travel at peak hours, and the natural response is to avoid toll gates by cutting through residential streets. This “rat running” creates localised problems such as safety risks for communities, noise and air pollution, and a sense that congestion is simply being displaced rather than solved.

Other cities that have adopted tolls faced the same challenge. The key lies in design and enforcement: traffic calming in residential areas, stronger enforcement of speed limits, and careful monitoring of diversion routes.