Federal Traffic Council has plans for child seats in all UAE taxis

Child seats are mandatory in private vehicles and violators of the law will face a fine of Dh400 and four black points, but government taxis are exempt

The Federal Traffic Council is considering fitting taxis across the UAE with child seats. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
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DUBAI // Providing child seats in UAE taxis is being discussed between the Federal Traffic Council and all transport departments in the country, said a senior police officer.

Maj Gen Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, chairman of the Federal Traffic Council and assistant commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, said: "We are very keen on implementing this rule as we care for the safety of all passengers including children."

He said that they are aware of the fact that many families with children take taxis and therefore there should be child seats in taxis.

The issue is still being discussed with transport departments across the country. "We are talking not only about Dubai but the entire UAE and we intend to address this with all transport departments," he said.

Child seats are mandatory in private vehicles and violators of the law will face a fine of Dh400 and four black points.

Government taxis are still exempt from this rule, but other transport providers, such as the ride-hailing company Careem, provides dedicated cars with child seats for customers with children.

Munawar Al Daoud, a Palestinian mother of two, doesn't have a car and takes cabs when commuting.

"This would be a great move towards higher safety standards," she said, adding that she  travels in taxis mostly with her son and daughter.

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"I don't work, therefore I decided it would be a waste of money to buy a car. When I hail for a cab, I will certainly feel safer with child seats installed" she said.

Aidah Omar, 43, from Jordan, who fears driving  due to an accident some years ago, said that taking taxis with child seats would make her feel more secure. But she is yet to see a change in behaviour since strict new traffic laws came into effect last Saturday.

"This morning on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, drivers were stopping and looking at a car crashed on the hard shoulder, it caused a suffocating congestion," said Aidah, a mother of three girls.

Khaled Abdul Hameed, from Egypt, remains concerned at the way driver act on the roads. He was nearly involved in an accident two days ago on the same motorway.

"A pick up car swerved all of a sudden and took the exit I was taking at the last second, I nearly hit him - it could have been a disaster," said Mr Khaled.