Children to the back: official

Motorists were yesterday urged to stop allowing their children to travel in the front seat as this could result in injuries – or even death.

The call came from Ministry of Interior spokesman Brigadier Mohammed Saleh Badah. He said parents should observe traffic rules and regulations and not allow youngsters to sit up front even if they wore seatbelts, as a belt could suffocate a child in the event of an accident.

"Many parents allow their children to sit next to them and this poses a risk to their lives," he added. "They may move while the car is in motion, and as children are very light they might move from side to side and crash into the car's interior. Many accidents have happened as a result of this and some were fatal.

"Children must be seated in the back and wear belts, and babies should be placed in baby seats in the back for their safety."

Badah warned of the danger faced by motorcyclists who did not wear helmets."Some young men drive motorbikes without using helmets. They must wear helmets, which should comply with official design specifications."

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