Dubai: UAE authorities take a number of steps to protect children on UAE roads. In addition to the UAE Traffic Law, the Child Rights Law, also known as Wadeema’s Law, also provides regulations for protecting children from traffic accidents.
On September 27, the UAE Public Prosecution took to social media to educate people about Article 58 of this law.
Children’s safety from traffic accidents
In a video, the public prosecution shared the details of Article 58, which says: The competent authorities and concerned entities should ensure that children are protected from traffic accidents in accordance with the provisions of the Traffic Law and its amending laws, in particular:
1- Prohibiting children under ten years of age from sitting in the front seats of any vehicle.
2- Developing controls regarding children’s use of bicycles.
Schoolchildren’s special care
On its social media channels, Abu Dhabi Police also reminded motorists to come to a complete stop whenever a school bus has the ‘stop’ sign up and to keep a distance of at least five meters to ensure safe and secure crossing of students. In addition to the fine, violators will receive 10 black points.
On single-lane roads, motorists should stop at least five meters apart in both directions.
Drivers who are headed in the same direction as the bus must stop at least five meters away from the bus on both lanes of a two-lane road.
Even the police authority announced that it had installed radars on school buses to catch motorists who fail to stop when the “stop sign” is raised.
As with buses, drivers need to ensure that they comply with the requirement to post stop signs so that other motorists know they must slow down if children are crossing the road. According to Abu Dhabi Police, not putting up the stop sign will result in a fine of Dh500 and six black traffic tickets.
Abu Dhabi Police launched the awareness campaign following an opinion poll which showed that 17% of motorists fail to see the stop sign placed by school bus drivers.