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RTA to raise awareness on child safety practices in cars

Dubai - Information will be collected from around 800 parents in Dubai to gauge their awareness on the importance of using child safety means

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has revived its child safety programme in line with the amended rules on federal traffic law.
Maitha Bin Adai, CEO of RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency, said the RTA has recently forged cooperation with Monash University Accident Research Center (MUARC) in Australia for a comprehensive accident and injury prevention research.
The two entities will collect information from around 800 parents in Dubai to gauge their awareness on the importance of using child safety means for children under aged 10. "A comprehensive data analysis would be carried out to understand parents' views about using child protection means to gauge their awareness about the correct installation and proper selection of safe child protection means," said Bin Adai.
The amended federal traffic law requires an appropriate child car seat for children under the age of four, while any child under age 10 or anyone who is less than 145 cm in height is not allowed to sit in the front seat. Flouting this will result in a Dh400 fine (per passenger) and four black points for the violation.
Bin Adai said they "will also examine the underlying reasons for the reluctance of some parents to use child safety seats.
"Based on findings, the research project will consider ways and means of increasing the use of child protection means in Dubai to enhance child safety onboard," she underlined. "The Agency is stepping up cooperation with private companies to develop and innovate awareness campaigns and publications aimed at sensitising parents and drivers in Dubai about the importance of protecting children from traffic accidents," she added.
Bin Adai also noted that the number of mothers registered as members of the Child Safety Programme has increased to 3,000 as of last year. Membership to the program have entitled them to multiple privileges including a free child safety seat.
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