Over 22,000 drivers fined for not buckling up in Abu Dhabi in 6 months

Abu Dhabi - The erring drivers were penalised for failing to buckle up, or not ensuring everyone in their car wore seat belts.

More than 22,000 motorists were fined for failing to buckle up in Abu Dhabi during the first six months of this year, authorities revealed.
The Abu Dhabi Police said on Tuesday that they recorded 22,162 offences against drivers who were caught violating the safety seat belt rule from January to June this year. The erring drivers were penalised for failing to buckle up, or not ensuring everyone in their car wore seat belts.
According to amendments made to the Federal Traffic Law, the fine for driver and passengers not wearing seat belts or a child not in a car seat is Dh400 per offender. Additionally, four black points are registered on the driver's licence.
Police underlined that the fines against violators are intended to force drivers and passengers to use the seat belts so as to protect their lives.
"Seat belts are vital in protecting drivers and passengers from serious injuries and death during collisions," police said in a statement.
Studies have shown that the use of a seat belt reduces death risk by 40 to 50 per cent in case of an accident for passengers in the front seats and between 25 and 75 per cent for those in the rear seats.
Police said children too should wear seat belts at all times while travelling. A properly buckled up child in the back seat of a vehicle or a toddler in the child car seat can have chances of being killed or hurt in an accident reduced by 80 per cent, according to police officials.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com 

• Abu Dhabi