UAE: Child riding on the front seat? You face a fine of Dh400
Abu Dhabi Police post awareness message for parents on penalties
Dubai: Abu Dhabi Police have issued an awareness message on their official social media channels on the penalties parents or guardians face if children under the age of 10 years are allowed to sit on the front seat of a vehicle.
Not only will the driver be issued a fine of Dh400, the car will also be impounded. To release the impounded vehicle, the individual will be required to pay a fine of Dh5,000 within three months, following which the vehicle is referred for sale in a public auction.
The post referred to Law No. (5) of 2020 regarding the seizure of vehicles in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, according to which the violation of allowing a child under the age of 10 years to sit in the front seat of the vehicle is a fine of Dh400 .
The financial value of releasing of the vehicle from impound is Dh5,000 , the vehicle is seized until the financial value of the release from impound is paid, and for a maximum period of three months. In the event that the dues are not paid, the vehicle is referred for sale in the public auction.
Federal law for front seat passengers
As per the Federal Traffic laws Article 49, front seat passengers should also be at least 145cm tall and not younger than 10 years old. Parents who allow children to sit in car’s rear seat without child seat will be fined Dh400.
Children up to the age of four years are required to be in a child safety seat, while older children need to be seated in the back, with the seat belt fastened.
Mandatory seat belts for all
All passengers in a vehicle are required, by law, to wear a seatbelt, whether in the front seat or back seat.
According to the UAE government’s official website, Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 regarding traffic control rules, failing to do so, the driver of the vehicle will be fined Dh400 and slapped with four black points . Also:
• Children up to four years of age must be provided with a child safety seat. Violators will be fined Dh400 and slapped with four black points .
• The front seat passenger should also be at least 145 cm tall and not younger than 10 years old.