Sharjah campaign shows parents why children must be buckled up

The initiative was launched under the directives of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah.

The “Strap Them Safe’’ car passengers safety campaign got into action on Sharjah’s main roads on Wednesday. Courtesy NNC

SHARJAH // Children’s faces are being painted to remind parents of the danger of not buckling up their kids as part of a Sharjah safety campaign.

The Strap Them Safe campaign is aimed at encouraging parents to protect their children with seat belts. Children helped police officers and other organisers on University Road to distribute flyers to motorists, with information about traffic laws and car seats for different ages.

The children had their faces painted with fake bruises and injuries to make a “large impact” on motorists and passers-by, organisers said.

Members of Sharjah Police, Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, Sharjah Children Centres and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs child safety campaign took part in the initiative, launched under the directives of chairwoman of the council Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah.

“We have launched the initiative to raise awareness of the importance of providing children with special belt-positioning booster seats, ensuring their seatbelts are fastened and that they are well seated in the back seat of the vehicle,” said Hanadi Al Yafei, a department director at the council and head of the child-safety campaign’s organising committee.

A team from Funn, a Sharjah organisation to help youth become engaged in the arts, painted the children’s faces.

The campaign is in preparation for the implementation of amendments to the Federal Traffic Law approved by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

Motorists and passengers must fasten their seat belts and children under 4 should be provided with car seats, according to the amendments, which come into force on July 1.

Those that breach the law could face fines of Dh400 and four penalty points.

Road injuries are among the leading causes of death for children in the UAE.