The importance of using child-safety seats while driving cannot be stressed enough. Fortunately, a five-month old baby boy survived a serious crash in Ras Al Khaimah last Thursday — thanks to his mother’s foresight and precaution in keeping him strapped securely in the child seat. Children are usually the first victims and unless parents or motorists are careful in adhering to safety guidelines with the younger passengers on board, there is a higher risk for them in the eventuality of an accident. Statistics are alarming enough — 63 per cent of under-14 child deaths in UAE are due to traffic incidents.
Traffic authorities in the UAE have for long been propagating the need to have children strapped securely in the back of the car in specially designed children’s seats, aimed to ensure maximum safety. However, motorists at times are careless and disregard these precautionary measures. In the past, children were even held on the lap in the front or allowed to sit in the front seat, which is now strictly prohibited for those under 10 and for those above this age, using seat belts is mandatory. It is important that parents commit to more responsible driving to rule out risks for children.
