Fatalities on Dubai roads in the 1 to 15 age group fell 40 per cent over the past three years, thanks to the traffic awareness programmes conducted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
RTA has run road safety campaigns in large hospitals and health centres targeting mothers and children in cooperation with Dubai Health Authority.
Director of Traffic at RTA Traffic & Roads Agency Hussain Al Banna said: “Our campaigns aim to sensitise parents about crashes and how to avoid them, with particular emphasis on fatal accidents in the age group of less than 15 years. Children usually hit the street running and are thus vulnerable to risks of being run over, as in recent accidents at Al Mamzar and Al Maraqqabat.
“We are urging parents to pay attention to their children when crossing streets, boarding or alighting from vehicles, especially near car parking, parks and malls. We are also encouraging them to have a child seat on board, avoid being distracted while driving by scuffling children,” explained Al Banna.
Most events targeting families in Dubai are held in Latifa and Dubai Hospitals as mothers and children are often seen there.
“RTA’s Child Safety Programme was launched in late 2008 and since the beginning of this year it has enrolled over 1,400 new mothers as members,” said Al Banna.
“During the Unified Gulf Traffic Week held last March, we started traffic awareness events at Al Barsha Health Centre. We have a plan to cover all the health centers in Dubai during in 2013,” he added.