'Hover boards' in designated areas only

Abu Dhabi Police has called upon parents to ensure children use 'hover boards', known locally as balance wheels, only in designated areas.

The alert follows an unfortunate incident where a child on a hover board was run over by a vehicle.

Colonel Jamal Salem Al Ameri, Chief, Public Relations Section, Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate, stressed upon the risks involved in using smart balance wheels on roads.

The smart balance wheels have become a source of entertainment among young children in the UAE.

Colonel Jamal Al Amiri said he was reacting to growing police reports about the use of roller skaters and boards on wheels by children on busy roads of the capital.

“Parents are buying such tools for their children but they are apparently not telling them not to play on roads as it could be dangerous,” he said, quoted by the semi- official Arabic language daily Al Ittihad.

“These are very dangerous as the children could be run over by cars and they could also create traffic confusion. Parents should not let their children play on roads with these dangerous tools and choose safe places for their amusement.”
 
Col. Ameri cautioned children and parents and urged them to take protective measures while riding the board and using them only in parks, gardens or other designated areas but not on roads.

Also, he advised children to wear protective gears such as helmets, knee and elbow caps and wrist pads to ensure maximum safety.

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