Kids under-10 in car back seat: Abu Dhabi Police

Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to sit next to the car driver and must be kept in the back seat while the car is moving, according to a senior police officer.

Drivers who allow these age groups to be in the front seat are committing a serious traffic offence which is punishable by Dh400 fine and the addition of four black points to their traffic record, said Lt Colonel Hamad Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of Traffic Investigation Division at the Abu Dhabi Traffic Police Department.

His figures showed nearly 14,702 seat belt offences were recorded in Abu Dhabi between January 1 and March 17 and that those penalties are applicable to them.

“The law strictly bans the seating of children under 10 years of age in the front seat because the seat belt will not provide enough protection for them in accidents given their little body,” he told the Dubai-based Emarat Al Youm Arabic language daily.

Colonel Shamsi urged motorists to use the seat belt while driving to protect them against accidents and avert penalties.

“Studies show that the seat belt does not prevent accidents but it eases the impact in case of accident.

“If it is used properly, the seat belt reduces death risks by 40-65 per cent. This should be a sufficient motive for drivers and passengers to use seat belts.”

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