Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Dubai Police have warned parents against allowing their children to ride recreational motorbikes or any type of vehicle on public roads, stressing that such behaviour poses a serious threat to their lives and the safety of others.
The warning follows an incident in which traffic patrols stopped a child riding a recreational motorbike on a public street, accompanied by another child.
Officers immediately intervened to ensure their safety and that of other road users.
Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander in Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, stated that the child’s guardian was summoned, the vehicle was impounded, and an impound release fee of Dh50,000 was imposed in accordance with Decree No. 30 of 2023.
“The guardian claimed he was unaware of the traffic regulations. A report was filed and legal action was taken in accordance with Wadeema’s Law, which criminalises exposing children to danger, neglecting them, or allowing them to engage in activities that threaten their physical or psychological safety,” Al Mazrouei confirmed.
Al Mazrouei further emphasised that permitting a child to operate a vehicle on a public road is extremely dangerous.
Children are neither physically nor mentally prepared to deal with traffic conditions, assess risks, or react appropriately in sudden situations, which could result in serious accidents or fatalities.
He underlined that public roads are not places for recreation or experimentation.
“Recreational bikes are intended for designated, closed areas under direct supervision, not among vehicles on busy streets,” Al Mazrouei said.
He urged parents to fulfil their legal and moral responsibilities by closely supervising their children and refraining from allowing them to operate any vehicle before reaching the legal age or obtaining the required licence.
“Ignorance of the law does not exempt anyone from accountability,” he noted, adding that protecting children is a shared responsibility that begins at home.
Members of the public are encouraged to report such dangerous behaviour by contacting the Call Centre on 901 or through the “Police Eye” service on the Dubai Police app.
Dubai Police affirmed that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who endangers their children or others, in order to safeguard lives and uphold community safety.
