Dubai Public Prosecution warns parents as father charged with negligence in e-scooter accident

Dubai: The Dubai Public Prosecution has issued a strong warning to parents after a father was charged with negligence in connection with an e-scooter accident involving his 13-year-old daughter. The girl, who reportedly violated traffic rules while riding the scooter, has been referred to the Family and Juvenile Prosecution for further action.

Dubai Public Prosecution reminded parents of the dangers posed by unsupervised use of electric scooters by sharing the real-life incident involving the teen girl through its awareness campaign “A Lesson to Learn.”

The story, posted on Instagram, used the nickname “Reema” to protect the child’s identity and served as a warning to parents about the legal and human consequences of negligence.

Reema had left her home one Friday afternoon without telling her family, eager to meet her friend Rawda for a playdate in the neighborhood park. She brought along her new electric scooter—a reward from her father for academic excellence.

When the two friends met up, they decided to head to the park, which required crossing a main road. In her excitement, Reema rode ahead, ignoring the designated pedestrian crossing. As she sped into the street, she was struck by a car in the second lane, siurces said, noting that the driver had not seen her coming.

The impact knocked Reema to the ground. The driver rushed to her side and called emergency services, who arrived quickly. Miraculously, Reema escaped with only minor injuries—scrapes and bruises, but no major trauma.

An investigation by the authorities revealed that Reema had been riding without adult supervision and in clear violation of traffic rules. While the incident ended without tragedy, it could have easily gone the other way.

The Public Prosecution held Reema’s father accountable, charging him with negligence and endangering a child’s life. Reema herself was also found to have contributed to the traffic violation, and her case was referred to the Family and Juvenile Prosecution.

“This story is part of a series the prosecution shares under the title ‘A Lesson to Learn’,” the public prosecution stated. “These are real incidents that may begin with small oversights but end in significant emotional and legal consequences.”

The message is clear: what may seem like a harmless joyride can turn into a life-altering moment. The campaign urges parents to stay vigilant, involved, and informed—because when it comes to children’s safety, there is no room for assumptions.

“It is essential for parents to recognise the dangers of electric bikes and ensure their children follow traffic and safety rules when using them. Parents must also not neglect the importance of accompanying their children, even for short distances. A small decision could lead to far greater consequences than they might expect, as illustrated by this story,” the Public Prosecution stated.