Fall in traffic-related child deaths

There has been a decline in the number of casualties among children this year.

Four kids died in traffic-related accidents so far this year, while 78 kids were hurt. Of the deceased, only one child was five years old, the others were below three years.

Meanwhile, last year during the same period, five kids died in road mishaps and 107 were injured.

Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zaffin, Director of Dubai Traffic, attributed the drop to intensive traffic awareness campaigns launched by the department in many community events such as the start of the school year.

However, according to a DHA study, 63 per cent of infant mortality is due to traffic-related deaths.

The study attributed the causes to inadequate measure while travelling such as lack of baby seats in taxis.

The RTA announced recently it is going to launch a project aimed at equipping taxi seats for children, to make their travel safer.

The UAE traffic law prohibits children under the age of 10 to sit in the front seat, and use seat belts while sitting behind.