More than 316,000 motorists and passengers were fined for not wearing seat belts over the past two years in the UAE, traffic authorities have revealed.
A total of 123,012 drivers and 26,077 passengers were caught violating the seat belt law during 2019 as compared to 96,714 drivers and 70,261 passengers fined for failing to buckle up in 2018, the Ministry of Interior figures showed.
The fine for a driver and passenger not wearing seat belt or a child not in car seat is Dh400 per occupant, according to the UAE Federal Traffic Law. Besides, four black points are registered on the driver's licence.
The ministry said motorists should fasten seat belts whenever they are driving and their passengers as well for their safety.
"Seat belts are vital in protecting a driver and passengers from serious injuries and even death during a collision," said authorities.
Last month, the Abu Dhabi Police reported that they recorded 22,162 offences against drivers who were caught violating the safety seat belt law during the first six months of this year.
Police said the fines against offenders are intended to force drivers and passengers use the seat belts so as to protect their lives.
Studies have shown that the use of a seat belt reduces death risk by 40 to 50 per cent in case of an accident for passengers in the front seats and between 25 and 75 per cent for passengers in the rear seats.
Kids not allowed in front seats
Authorities said children too should wear seat belts all the time. Drivers allowing children under the age of 10 to sit in front seats of vehicles face a fine of Dh400.
According to the UAE traffic law, children under 10 or less than 145cm in height are not allowed to sit in the front seat of vehicles.
Traffic authorities said small kids should be put in a child seat and restrained by the seat belt when being seated in the rear of the vehicle.
A properly buckled up child in the back seat of a vehicle or a toddler in the child car seat can have chances of being killed or hurt in an accident reduced by 80 per cent, according to traffic officials.
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