Dubai: To celebrate the occasion of the 50th UAE National Day, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA),  Dubai Health Authority(DHA) and Dubai Police, in cooperation with  UNICEF Gulf, launched the “My child’s golden jubilee gift,” initiative.

The joint government initiative will provide gifts and car seats to families of newborns in public and private sector hospitals in Dubai.

More than 450 car seats will be distributed to families of newborns across 21 public and private hospitals in Dubai. The car seats can be used from birth until four years. 

The initiative aims to reiterate the importance of road safety and educate community members on the importance of using car seats for babies and children.

Emirates Driving Institute, Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) and Baby Shop Group are also participating in the initiate in coordination with UNICEF and the Supreme Council for Childhood in the Emirates.

Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, expressed her feeling of pride in the accomplishments of the United Arab Emirates over the last fifty years, noting that the UAE topped the list of the best countries in the field of road quality, according to the report issued by Atlas World in the second half of 2021.

 She reaffirmed RTA's commitment towards road safety and highlighted the importance of this campaign to raise community awareness about children’s health and safety.

She called on parents to use car seats and seat belts in the vehicle. She also emphasized that all community members must follow safety measures while driving.

Dr Muna Tahlak, CEO of Latifa Hospital for Women and Children highlighted the importance of this initiative as it reinforces the importance of child safety from the day the child is born.

She thanked all the governmental and private sector entities who joined hands to launch this campaign.

Eltayeb Adam, UNICEF Representative to the Gulf Area said: “Globally, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years. Evidence on the effectiveness of child safety seats and restraints is overwhelming, and the use of child restraints can lead to at least a 60% reduction in deaths. A practice as simple as securing a child in a car seat avoids injuries and loss of life of young children and, in the long term, helps instill a culture of road safety in our society. UNICEF applauds the Roads and Transport Authority’s continued campaigning to raise awareness among families which, in conjunction with related laws and regulations, is saving lives.”