Dubai Police warn parents to make sure their children are safe in cars by fining them Dh400.
Drivers were cautioned about the dangers of improper child restraint, as a poll found that one in three parents do not have the necessary car seats.
Authorities are urging motorists to prioritize road safety, especially for toddlers and young children who must be securely placed in car seats while traveling. Dubai Police emphasized in a tweet that safety is a shared priority and highlighted the importance of securely seating little ones in car seats. The reminder comes after a survey last year revealed that 33% of parents in the UAE do not own proper car seats for their children.
Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, emphasized the importance of child car safety and the responsibility of parents to establish proper safety habits from birth. The Seat Belt Law, implemented in 2017, mandates the use of child seats for children aged 0-4 years. Edelmann stressed the need for responsible parenting, including the purchase and consistent use of the appropriate child restraint system.
The survey conducted by YouGov, commissioned by RoadSafetyUAE and Cybex, found that the lack of ownership, usage, and knowledge of car seats remains a significant road safety issue. Reasons for not owning a child car seat included a lack of knowledge about what to buy, children not liking to be strapped in, and the perceived high price of car seats. Further concerns were raised about parents who, despite owning proper child car seats, do not always ensure their children buckle up.
In the UAE, all passengers must wear seat belts, with fines for violators. Children up to four years old must use a child safety seat, and front seat passengers should be at least 145 cm tall and not younger than 10 years old. Edelmann stressed the need for further education of parents, enforcement around schools, and the implementation of a mandatory newborn hospital discharge policy as federal law. Infant car seats are designed to protect babies in crashes, forming a protective cocoon and providing side impact protection.
