DUBAI // Two children were killed and two injured, one critically, when their car overturned on the Dubai-Hatta road on Saturday night.
The accident, in which three adults were also injured, brought the total number of deaths on Dubai roads in the first four months of the year to 44. The crash took place at about 8.30pm near the Saeer District.
The Dubai chief traffic prosecutor, Salah bu Faroosha, said: "According to our preliminary investigations, the accident took place after the driver, who was the mother of the two deceased children, lost control of her vehicle and veered from the left lane to the far right side of the road."
The car, according to Mr bu Faroosha, crashed into a 4x4 driven by a 60-year-old Emirati man and overturned twice before coming to a rest off the road.
The 29-year-old Emirati mother was injured in the crash while her two children, aged one and four, died, Mr bu Faroosha said.
A five-year-old is in critical condition while a six-year-old suffered minor injuries; it was unclear whether these two were also the driver's children. Two Filipinas, aged 23 and 26, who were in same vehicle, suffered minor injuries.
Mr bu Faroosha said the Dubai traffic prosecution had asked Hatta police to refer the case to them as soon as possible for investigation.
It was unclear whether the injured children were properly restrained.
"According to the federal traffic law, children under the age of 10 are prohibited to sit in the front seat," said Mr bu Faroosha. "Furthermore, any passenger is, by law, required to wear a seat belt - violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
"The majority of traffic accidents which lead to death or injury are caused by human error and especially by people who are related to one another, like parents.
"These deadly accidents are a result of lack of attention, neglect and recklessness, and offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."