Strap your children up or be prepared for a ticket

Dh400 fine, 12 black points for motorists found driving with children unrestrained; official says women cause lesser accidents.

Dubai — It is now mandatory for motorists to strap children aged under 12 with seat belts or in child car seats, failing which a Dh400 fine and four black points will be slapped against them. A top Dubai Police official explained that a decision to this effect was taken due to the dangers associated with children riding unrestrained in vehicles.

According to Colonel Saif Mohair Al Mazroui, Director of the General Department of Traffic, 208 motorists were found driving with children unrestrained last year. He said the police are focussing on child car seats for infants and seat belts for children aged under 12 due to the rise in injuries and deaths of people travelling in the back of vehicles. “When an accident occurs, the car suddenly swerves and stops. Passengers are thrown in front or sideways violently if the speed of the vehicle is 100kmph. They are at risk of serious injuries or even death,” said Col Al Mazroui.

As part of a campaign to promote seat belts for children earlier, the Dubai Police distributed 100 car seats to motorists.

Palm Jumeirah fines

Exceeding the speed limit by every 10kmph will attract an additional Dh100 fine in addition to the Dh600 fine for speeding in the tunnel of Palm Jumeirah, Col Al Mazroui said. For example, if a driver travels at 160kmph on a road with a speed limit of 100kmph, he/she will be fined Dh1,000 in addition to 12 black points.

Racing and stunt-driving

Al Warqa area, which earlier used to witness racing and stunt-driving, is now completely free of the illegal practice, Col Al Mazroui has said. He attributed this to the support extended by the public and increased police patrolling in the area.

However, Al Mamzar and Al Khwaneej areas still witness the illegal practice and efforts are underway to put an end to it. He urged the public to report racing and stunt-driving to the police.

Women more careful drivers

Col Al Mazroui denied rumours that women caused more accidents than men, pointing out that women caused just 104 accidents as compared to 1,075 caused by men last year.  - amira@khaleejtimes.com

No discounts on Dubai traffic fines The Dubai Police have no intention of offering discounts on the traffic fines incurred on the emirate’s roads, a top police official has announced. According to Colonel Saif Mohair Al Mazroui, Director of the General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police, the discount that was offered earlier to encourage people to pay their traffic fines was found to be counter-productive.