UAE | Traffic and Transport

Children drive cars to school in Ajman

26 male students were caught driving without a licence

  • By Salam Al Amir, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 March 18, 2010
  • XPRESS

  • Image Credit: Xpress /danesh mohiuddin
  • 26 schoolboys caught driving without a licence

Ajman: In a shocking development, children here have been found driving to school in their parents' cars, the principal of a girl's school alleged.

Shaikha Azza Al Nuaimi, Principal of Muzaire School for Girls, said pre-teen boys are a regular fixture on the roads, driving their parents' cars, obviously without a driving licence, for morning classes.

"A student used a pillow to sit on in order to view the road while driving his father's car," she said, noting that boys in Grade 6 complained their parents were too old to drive.

Shaikha Azza said she had called the police a year ago regarding these incidents, but added that they didn't intervene until last month, when 26 male students were caught driving without a licence. The boys' parents were asked to sign an undertaking that they [the children] wouldn't repeat the violation.

Teachers not spared

Students are also at risk from many of their own teachers who drive without a driving licence.

Shaikha Azza said a nine-year-old schoolgirl was run over by a vehicle driven by a teacher who didn't have a licence. The accident happened in the remote area of Muzaire in Ajman.

The accident proved to be a catalyst for police who stepped up patrols only to discover that a large number of teachers were driving without a licence.

Shaikha Azza said that 45 teachers from her school were found driving without a licence.

"I informed the police over a year ago, but no action was taken until a little girl was run over," she said.

Prior to the police action, Shaikha Azza had issued a circular banning all teachers who were driving without a licence from entering the school premises with their vehicles.

Col Sultan Al Nuaimi, Deputy Director of Ajman Police, said that those who were apprehended have signed undertakings stating that they will not repeat the offence.

Offenders caught driving without a licence a second time, he pledged, will be arrested and referred to the Prosecution.

Comments (9)

  1. Added 17:25 March 20, 2010

    I agree with Lalla Sarah. Getting a licence in the UAE is like getting a doctor’s degree. Truth is, driving is not complicated but authorities in driving schools make it so. I would like to say they are right in doing so; unfortunately they are wrong!

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 20:59 March 19, 2010

    Epidemiological statistics show a high incidence of risk-taking behaviour in male adolescents. I am thankful to Shaikha Azza for shedding light on this growing problem as a lot of people in Ajman don’t seem to bother about following road-safety rules like wearing the seat-belt, using indicator when changing lanes, etc. It all makes sense now!

    Anonymous, Dubai , United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 11:30 March 19, 2010

    Letting children drive to school is a crime, but regarding the teachers, I know and have experienced the same -- that getting a driving licence in the UAE is harder than getting a PhD. We are asking Shaikha Azza to look into this matter,we appreciate her help.

    Lalla Sarah, Beirut, Lebanon

  4. Added 21:26 March 18, 2010

    Things are really going out of control. In spite of tough rules and regulations, there are many who don’t take driving seriously. They, especially teenagers, seem to treat it as a joke and think if they commit an offence their parents are there to take care of them and pay the fines. Who knows there are many drivers out there on the road driving without a licnece and it’s high time the police patrols tracked them down and put them behind bars! It’s OK if we have less cars on the road, it will reduce traffic congestion. I would also like to suggest that newspapers should reduce the number of car ads published as these make many teenagers very excited and fascinated with the looks and designs of the cars.

    Mathew Litty, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 18:47 March 18, 2010

    This is a major offence. This can be hazardous to both the children as well as others. What kind of upbringing parents are giving to their children? Children must be taught that they have a responsibility towards society. Above all, teachers are the guiding light for the students. What kind of example they are setting for the children? Parents and teachers should apprise the children of the do’s and don’ts in the society.

    Tuhina Bhattacharya, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 16:34 March 18, 2010

    Driving without licence is dangerous not only to the driver but also to others. If he or she is not qualified as a driver they won’t know the rules and regulations on the road.

    Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 15:48 March 18, 2010

    Was there any indication that the teacher that ran over the schoolgirl did so because of lack of skills that would have been caught by the licensing department? I know you are not supposed to run over people. Come to think of it, I don’t think it was on my driving test at all, there was no question such as ‘Is it all right to run over people?’ I take from this that unlicensed drivers are about as skilled as licensed ones, so probably licensing is a waste of time. Possibly licensing commercial drivers might still be useful.

    Rethinker, District of Columbia, United States

  8. Added 12:46 March 18, 2010

    I am not surprised. Smile, you are in Ajman.

    Mian, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 11:59 March 18, 2010

    I believe that the ‘physical age’ has much less to do with ‘mental age’ or capability. Hence, with proper guidance, children should be granted driving licence.

    Zia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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