UAE seat belt rules and fines: What drivers and passengers must follow

Dubai: It’s no secret that wearing a seat belt can save your life, yet, many drivers and passengers still neglect this vital safety precaution.

Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to stay safe on the road, yet many drivers and passengers still overlook it. In the United States, November 14 is recognised as National Seat Belt Day to remind people to buckle up wherever they sit in the vehicle - a message echoed by local police authorities in the UAE who continue to stress how seat belts save lives in serious crashes.

In the UAE, the issue extends to children’s safety in cars. Sharjah Police recorded 3,802 violations this year for breaches of a key rule that prohibits children aged 10 and under, or those shorter than 145cm, from sitting in the front seat.

Sharjah reported the highest number of offences at 2,600, followed by Ajman with 896, Abu Dhabi with 161, and Dubai with 118. Fujairah registered 14 cases, Ras Al Khaimah seven, and Umm Al Quwain six.

In a crash, children face a significantly higher risk of severe injury. A rear-impact collision can force a baby out of a caregiver’s arms and even through the windshield, while a front-impact crash with airbag deployment can be fatal for infants seated in the front.

Car seats act as a protective barrier, designed to keep young children secure during sudden impacts. Rear-facing seats absorb crash forces, and their shells and padding help shield a baby’s spine and vital organs. The seat belt system built into the car seat also prevents the child from being thrown around inside the vehicle.

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using lap and shoulder seat belts reduces the risk of front-seat deaths among passenger-car occupants by 45% and moderate to critical injuries by 50%. For front-seat occupants in light trucks, seat belts reduce deaths by 60% and moderate to critical injuries by 65%.

It is mandatory for all passengers in the UAE, including those in the rear seats, to wear seat belts. Pregnant women are also strongly advised to wear seat belts to safeguard both themselves and their unborn child.

According to UAE traffic laws, children under four years old must be secured in an appropriate car seat, while all children under the age of 10 should ride in the back seat. For guidance on selecting the right car seat for your child, including when to transition between rear- and forward-facing options, refer to this guide.

The UAE’s Federal Traffic Law enforces strict penalties for failing to wear a seat belt:

• All passengers, including those in the back seat, must wear seat belts. If this rule is violated, the driver will face a Dh400 fine and four black points.
• Children under four years old must be secured in a child safety seat. Violators are subject to the same Dh400 fine and four black points.
• Front seat passengers must be at least 145 cm tall and not younger than 10 years old.

Recently, Dubai Police has implemented advanced radar systems equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect violations such as failure to wear a seat belt, improper lane changes, and mobile phone use while driving. These radars can distinguish between clothing and a seat belt—even in low-light conditions.

This article was published on December 6, 2024 and has been updated since.