Enforce traffic law to improve child safety on roads, FNC says

ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council has urged authorities to enforce traffic laws, especially for child safety, during Ramadan.

The FNC yesterday discussed ways to tighten legislation and enforce fines to deter motorists who fast during the holy month from driving dangerously. Research showed a need to increase the severity of punishments for traffic offences, and new legislative bills were being studied, said Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Naama Al Sharhan, an FNC member from Ras Al Khaimah, said many parents ignored the law on child-safety seats in cars.

“Lots of people fail to install child-safety seats in vehicles,” she said. “Children are exposed to danger in the case of a sudden halt or severe braking. In an accident, children could even die because of inadequate safety.”

Sheikh Saif wrote in response that a new law, passed in March, included special protection for children aged 4 or younger.

The law also increased the fines for motorists who do not use seat belts.

A federal law bans children younger than 10 from sitting in the front seat of a vehicle, but there is no law as yet that compels the installation of car seats for children.

Sheikh Saif said there would be a study to gauge the efficacy of the decision and it would be amended if necessary.

The study will involve a survey to confirm the availability of car seats for children.

In the UAE, road injuries are among the leading causes of death for children. Salem Al Shehhi, an FNC member from Ras Al Khaimah, also asked about the legality of private taxis.

Sheikh Saif said fines for private taxis were between Dh400 and Dh3,000, and offenders could be given 24 demerit points and a month in jail.

The law increased the fines for motorists who do not use seat belts