Safe Summer Campaign: Abu Dhabi Police lists key measures to keep children safe in cars

The Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters has warned people against leaving their children unattended in vehicles during the summer season while travelling or when the car is parked. The police have issued an advisory listing key measures to ensure children’s safety inside cars as a part of the “Safe Summer” campaign in collaboration with the Civil Defence Authority.

The police have highlighted six essential safety measures to protect children inside vehicles, especially critical during the summer months, when temperatures are on the higher side and families rely heavily on cars for travelling.

As a part of the Safe Summer campaign, authorities emphasised the following six precautions:

• Always place children in appropriate child safety seats.
• Ensure seat belts are fastened securely.
• Never leave or forget children inside the vehicle.
• Park in safe, shaded areas and pay close attention when children are exiting the car.
• Prevent children from opening the vehicle doors or attempting to drive.
• Never allow children to sit in the front seat, especially behind the steering wheel, during driving.

Other key measures

Front seat safety restrictions

The police have strictly prohibited children aged 10 or below or those shorter than 145 cm from sitting in the front seat of a vehicle in view of the safety risks, including accidents. When an accident occurs, the front seat typically bears the most impact, increasing the likelihood of severe injuries for children. Violating this rule will invite a fine of Dh400. The regulation also applies to adults under 145 cm in height.

Seat belts are crucial

To minimise the risk of injury in road accidents, seat belts are crucial as they help in keeping children in place, significantly mitigating the chance of serious injuries. During sudden collisions or hard braking, seat belts restrict body movement, providing added protection to the child’s head, neck and torso.

Summer vehicle safety awareness

In a bid to promote public awareness of summer vehicle safety, particularly for road travel, authorities have laid emphasis on the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and safe driving practices during high-temperature conditions.

Six key public awareness messages to ensure safety: Regular maintenance, tyre checks, fluid checks, brake inspection, light functionality, and valid documentation.