Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has gifted free child car seats to families celebrating the birth of their babies during the UAE National Day weekend, in a bid to enhance child safety on the roads. The initiative, titled ‘My Baby’s Gift on Eid Al Etihad,’ distributed approximately 450 car seats to mothers who gave birth between December 1 and 5 at 24 participating hospitals.
“The initiative aims to offer every newborn in Dubai hospitals during Eid Al Etihad celebrations with a free child car seat. Hospitals are supplied with many car seats based on the expected number of births during the celebration period, which takes place annually from December 1 to 5,” said Hussain Al Banna, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.
This program, supported by Dubai Police, the Dubai Health Authority and UNICEF, has been running for five years. Over this period, more than 2,000 child car seats have been distributed, reinforcing RTA’s commitment to traffic safety.
Highlighting the importance of child car seats, Al Banna noted that global studies show their proper use can significantly reduce injuries and fatalities:
- “Properly using child car seats reduces injuries and fatalities among children by 54% and by 71% for newborns.”
- “Additionally, child car seats help reduce traffic-related injuries among children aged 4 to 8 years by 45%.”
RTA’s safety initiatives extend beyond newborns, encompassing students, drivers, and road users across Dubai.
“RTA operates according to well-defined plans regularly updated to address the needs of all target groups within the community. These plans encompass a range of activities and initiatives focused on the safety of newborns to ensuring the safety of children and students and extending to all drivers and road users in Dubai,” Al Banna explained.
The initiative also serves as a reminder of the rules governing child safety in vehicles. According to UAE traffic laws:
- Children under 10 years or shorter than 145 cm are prohibited from sitting in the front seat. Violators are fined Dh400.
- Transporting children aged 4 years and under without appropriate child protection seats also incurs a Dh400 fine.
Al Banna urged parents to adhere to these rules and prioritize the safety of their children: “Parents must ensure their children are seated in designated car seats while driving.”