Car Tolls – we call it Salik

The majority of European countries have had a compulsory road toll system for many years. Dubai comparatively has recently launched a toll system called “Salik”. Tolls can be classified in different types: there are toll stickers (called “vignette” in several countries, they can be either actual coloured stickers to be affixed to the windscreen, or even electronic “stickers”; they are required in some countries in order to transit motorways, expressways, or even ordinary roads for set periods of time), distance-related road charges, special tolls for tunnels and bridges, and even city congestion charges. Already thirteen European countries have started to charge distance–related tolls, for example, France, Italy, Poland and Spain. Instead, in another eight countries, drivers must purchase toll stickers when travelling down chargeable routes; amongst these countries are to be found Bulgaria, Austria, Rumania, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, as well as Switzerland and Slovakia. The cost of a toll sticker in Rumania tots up 3€ for a 7 day period for vehicles up to 3,5t, in Slovenia 15€, while in Austria a toll sticker for 10 days costs 8,50€; instead, in Switzerland one can obtain only toll stickers valid for a year for the equivalent of 33€. According to each country‘s individual legislation, there can be at times hefty fines for failing to carry along toll stickers. Just in Slovakia, fines amount to up to 800€, while in Austria, drivers must pay either a replacement toll for the amount of 120€, or face a fine of at least 300€.

In the UAE, Dubai has implemented road charges mainly on Sheikh Zayed Road. The tolls are known as “Salik” fees.

Salik was launched in July 2007 and means “clear” or “open”. It is Dubai’s road toll collection system. Classified as a free flow tolling system, it operates without any toll barrier gates, leading to a “free flow” of cars, without creating traffic jams. The “Salik tag” is a sticker to be placed at the car’s windshield and is used to identify your car and charge you. It utilizes the latest Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Every time you pass a Salik tolling point, you get charged 4 Dirhams (4 AED).

Arguments which speak in favour of a road toll for cars are:

  • equitable burden sharing
  • money would be used to fund roadway construction directly
  • improved traffic flow thanks to the development of road infrastructure
  • incentive not to use the car all the time

Factors which speak against the introduction of a road toll for cars are that

  • traffic switches to secondary roads (e.g. Al Khail road)
  • local commuters would be more heavily affected in comparison to foreign visitors.
  • relatively expensive, if the main Sheikh Zayed Road needs to be used several times a day