Dubai: If you’re getting in a car – buckle up. That’s the simple rule everyone – from the driver to the passengers – needs to follow when travelling on UAE Roads.The UAE’s Federal Traffic Law clearly requires everyone in a vehicle to be buckled up, with specific rules for children and babies.Here is all you need to know about what the law says, and what the penalties are for not adhering to it.Rules for drivers and passengersSince 2017, UAE’s traffic laws require all those riding a vehicle to wear a seatbelt.In case a driver fails to wear his or her seatbelt, the penalty as per Ministerial Resolution No. 178 for the year 2017 on Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control is an AED 400 fine and four black points.In case passengers are not wearing a seatbelt, a fine of AED 400 is also applied.Ensuring children’s safetyThere are also rules regarding children in cars, which motorists should be familiar with.For infants and children under the age of four, a child safety seat should be securely placed in the backseat. These baby carriers have to comply with UAE’s safety standards as per Article 31 of Ministerial Resolution No. 130 of 1997. When purchasing a car seat, look for the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) sticker, or check for product compliant through the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s (MoIAT) product conformity database here: https://moiat.gov.ae/en/open-data/product-conformity-dataFor children over the age of four, booster seats should be used until the time they reach a height of 145cm, after which they can use the adult seatbelt.Children are also not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat, whether on their own, or on an adult’s lap. The passenger on the front seat has to be at least 10 years old or 145cm in height.Fines for not wearing seatbeltAs per Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017, these are the fines that apply in case motorists fail to adhere to seatbelt rules in the UAE:Driver not wearing a seat belt – AED 400 fine and four black points.Passenger not wearing a seat belt – AED 400 fine.Not providing a child safety seat for a child aged four or below – AED 400 fine.Allowing a child aged 10 or below, or a person shorter than 145cm, to sit in the front seat – AED 400 fine.
