Smart radar in Dubai catches driver with a child on lap

Smart cameras have helped Dubai Police catch a driver with a child on his lap. 

In an image posted on social media platform X, Dubai Police said the driver's actions jeopardised the child's safety and posed significant risks to other road users.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said the driver had been summoned and the vehicle confiscated.

He added that children under the age of 10 or shorter than 145 cm are prohibited from sitting in the front seats under the UAE Federal traffic law.

Dubai Police’s smart detection systems recently detected a driver endangering his child’s life by allowing the child to sit on his lap while driving. According to Federal Traffic Law, front-seat passengers must be at least 145 cm tall and over the age of 10.#RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/YUMKcBpfZ1

— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) March 14, 2025

Explaining the dangers of seating children in the front seats of vehicles, Al Mazrouei said it exposes them to intense force of frontal collisions as seatbelts are designed for adults.

"Furthermore, airbags deploy rapidly and with great force during crashes, which can result in severe injuries, particularly for younger children or those in unsafe positions," he added. 

Driving a vehicle in a manner that endangers the motorist's life or the lives of others is punishable by a fine of AED 2,000 in fines, 23 black points and 60 days of vehicle impoundment. 

The senior official urged parents to be more vigilant and encouraged the public to report such dangerous acts via the Dubai Police app or by calling 901.