Qatar- Parents urged to ensure kids' safety while riding ATVs

Doha: In order to ensure children's safety during race of quad bikes and motorcycles in the desert, parents must get only those All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), which are fit for their kids' age and body.
'Because this is winter camping season and driving quad bikes, (also known as All terrain Vehicles) is a favourite pastime of many people especially young people and children. We advise the parents to hire only appropriate ATVs for their children, First Lieutenant Fahd Sherida, Traffic Awareness Officer told The Peninsula.
Most of the shops which rent out ATVs follow the traffic department's instructions about safety measures and they do not rent them to children in absence of parents, he added.
Regarding riding motorcycles without license, he said fine of this violation is seizing of the bike and shifting driver to public prosecution.
On common careless behaviour like racing in the public streets, he said that the penalty for the violation is to seize the bike for a specific period, which may reach up to 90 days.
The use of ATVs especially in the desert is a favourite hobby of many people, but it involves certain risks that may cause serious accidents, especially if driven without safety guidelines.
These safety measures include not to drive bikes on paved roads, and to wear seat belt while driving. Parents also have to follow their children when they drive quad bikes.
The motorbike drivers must obey traffic rules and should not drive recklessly as it exposes them and other road users to danger, Sherida pointed out. Some other common reckless behaviours include going in groups and not wearing helmets, which are against the safety measures
Most of the violations committed by motorcyclists are driving without license and not using number plates, or hiding them so that radars can't catch the violators.

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