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Dubai draft law: Parents liable for children’s e-scooter misuse; number plates proposed
The draft law introduces mandatory e-scooter registration and number plates, as authorities look to enhance road safety, according to Emarat Al Youm
- PUBLISHED: Wed 15 Apr 2026, 9:56 AM UPDATED: Wed 15 Apr 2026, 1:08 PM
Parents in Dubai could soon be held legally accountable for their children’s misuse of electric scooters under a proposed law aimed at improving road safety and reducing reckless behavior on public roads.
According to Emarat Al Youm, Lieutenant General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations at Dubai Police, said authorities are drafting legislation that would make parents responsible if their children are harmed or endanger others while using electric scooters improperly.
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Speaking to Emarat Al Youm, he said the initiative is being developed in collaboration with strategic partners, including the Roads and Transport Authority, as part of wider efforts to address the growing risks posed by micromobility devices.
Al Mazrouei said electric scooters are no longer just recreational tools, noting that in some cases they have become a real danger to road users. He explained that the proposed law aims to deter unsafe practices by holding parents accountable when minors ride in prohibited areas or modify scooters to exceed legal speed limits.
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Some scooters have been modified to reach speeds of up to 120 km/h, well above safe limits. The draft law also suggests that all scooters be registered and issued number plates to help track them, improve safety, and prevent misuse, including possible illegal activity.
Officials said the plan comes after more violations and stricter enforcement by Dubai Police against unsafe scooter riding. They said the law is meant to improve road safety, encourage responsible behavior, and better regulate the growing use of scooters in the city.
Authorities also plan to introduce mandatory registration and number plates for all electric scooters to improve tracking and prevent illegal use. Officials said the measures are aimed at improving accountability and reducing risks linked to unregulated micromobility use.
The proposal comes amid growing concern over the rising number of e-scooter-related accidents across the UAE, particularly involving children and teenagers. Authorities have increasingly warned that parental responsibility plays a critical role in preventing misuse of electric scooters, especially as incidents of reckless riding and unsafe modifications continue to rise.
This concern is underscored by real-life cases that have drawn public attention. As Khaleej Times previously reported, Dubai Public Prosecution highlighted an incident in its “Crime and Lesson” awareness campaign in which a 13-year-old girl was injured while crossing a road on her e-scooter.
Investigations found that the scooter had been gifted by her father as a reward for academic achievement, which later resulted in legal action against the parents for endangering a child’s life.
The scale of the problem is also reflected in recent accident figures. In 2024, Dubai recorded 254 e-scooter and bicycle-related crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities and 259 injuries, including 17 serious cases.
The situation has further escalated in 2025, with multiple fatalities reported within a short period , including two e-scooter-related deaths in just three days in February involving minors aged 15 and 9.
In the first five months of 2025 alone, authorities recorded 13 deaths linked to e-scooter misuse and jaywalking, highlighting a sharp and concerning rise in fatalities.
In response to growing violations, enforcement has also intensified. Dubai Police previously confiscated scooters and took action against 90 individuals caught performing dangerous stunts at Kite Beach, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to reckless riding that endangers both users and the public.
Safety concerns extend beyond enforcement zones into residential communities, where residents have repeatedly reported children riding e-scooters unsupervised and at high speeds on neighborhood roads, sometimes narrowly avoiding collisions.
Road safety experts have warned that younger riders are particularly vulnerable, as motorists may struggle to notice them in time and react safely.
Institutional measures have also begun to reflect these risks. Several schools across the UAE have tightened restrictions on personal electric transport devices, with institutions such as Dubai International Academy – Emirates Hills banning students from bringing e-scooters, e-bikes, and electric motorbikes onto campus, citing serious safety concerns linked to speed, lack of supervision, and shared road environments.
Against this backdrop, safety experts, including Mustafa Aldah, have stressed the importance of parental oversight, noting that while children are encouraged to engage in outdoor activity, parents must carefully assess whether they are responsible enough to use such devices safely. Authorities in Abu Dhabi have also urged residents to use e-scooters only in designated areas, warning against riding in non-approved locations.
Together, these developments have accelerated calls for stricter regulation, including mandatory registration, number plates, speed monitoring, and clearer parental accountability measures, steps officials say are necessary to address the growing risks associated with micromobility in the UAE.
Azza Al Ali is a reporter from Ras Al Khaimah, dedicated to sharing stories that bring the community’s voices to life. She’s passionate about connecting with people and highlighting what truly matters to them.