Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has distributed 500 child car seats to families with newborns from December 1 to 5, as part of UAE's 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations.

The authority seeks to embed a culture of road safety from the very first moments of a child's life. The car seats were distributed by 26 hospitals across Dubai.

"The use of dedicated child seats reduces the risk of fatal incidents by up to 71 per cent for infants and 54 per cent for children aged between one and four years, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration," said Ahmed Al Khzaimy, Director of Traffic at RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency.

The authority urged parents to follow a set of guidelines to ensure the highest levels of safety for their children while driving:

• Ensuring that the child seat is appropriate for the child's age and weight and used in accordance with the instructions provided with the seat.

• Verifying that the seat is internationally certified and meets recognised safety standards.

• Testing the installation of the seat in the vehicle before purchase to ensure compatibility with the vehicle's anchoring system or seat belt.

• Strictly following the manufacturer's instructions during installation and when adjusting the harness.

• Avoiding keeping the child in the seat for more than 30 consecutive minutes.

• Conducting regular checks of the harness, buckles, and fastenings, and ensuring the seat is safe to use after any accident.

• Installing the seat in the rear seats of the vehicle and never holding a child while driving.

• Avoiding the use of the seat for purposes such as feeding the child or allowing them to sleep at home.

• Removing thick clothing to ensure the harness fits securely on the child's body.

• Replacing the seat immediately after any collision to ensure the integrity of its internal structure.

• Providing specialised seats or harnesses for Children of Determination in accordance with approved medical recommendations.

“The initiative aligns with the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which affirm that vehicle restraint systems - including child seats and seat belts - are among the most effective means of saving lives and reducing serious injuries resulting from traffic accidents,” Al Khzaimy noted.

“The initiative, launched five years ago to encourage parents to use child seats in vehicles, has witnessed continuous growth. The number of seats distributed increased from 200 in the first year to 500 in 2025, accompanied by an expansion in the number of participating hospitals from 17 to 26 across Dubai.”

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