The recent deaths of 3 Emirati teenagers in a car crash on Sharjah’s Kalba road have all over again highlighted the dangers of underage riding in the UAE. The tragic incident, which came about on Monday nighttime during iftar, reportedly involved an unlicensed minor who lost manage of the car, leading to the fatal accident.
Growing Issue of Underage Driving
This unfortunate event has delivered to a string of preventable injuries linked to teenagers running automobiles without licenses. Despite warnings from government, many young teens keep to take their mother and father’ automobiles without permission, regularly motivated by means of peer stress. For some youth, riding underage is visible as an possibility to impress friends and fit in socially, even as others feel compelled to sign up for in to avoid feeling excluded.
Interviews with schoolchildren reveals alarming developments. A 14-year-old student from an Asian school in Dubai admitted that a few classmates regularly take their dad and mom’ cars out for drives, specially in much less populated regions or past due at night time. “They assume it’s amusing and feel proud about it. If one kid does it, others want to do the identical,” she defined. Another scholar recounted a reckless choice to power a chum’s SUV at the same time as the circle of relatives become away, acknowledging how dangerous the situation felt but emphasizing the impact of peer pressure.
Parental Oversight and Responsibility
A key thing contributing to underage using is a lack of parental oversight. One mother defined the surprise of receiving a past due-night call from the police after her teenage son was detained for driving without a license. “I had no concept he had even taken the auto. It become surprising and embarrassing,” she said.
Road protection experts have voiced concerns approximately how this volatile behavior is still normalized among certain agencies of minors. They stress the pressing need for parents to actively supervise their youngsters and take preventive measures, along with hiding automobile keys or putting in automobile monitoring devices.
Tragic Pattern of Accidents
Monday’s crash echoes previous incidents inside the UAE regarding underage drivers. In November 2020, a 12-year-old boy lost his life in Ras Al Khaimah when a 13-year-old behind the wheel lost manage, injuring two other minors. Similarly, in March 2019, a excessive-velocity accident in Ras Al Khaimah claimed the lives of four teens and injured three others.
In a good more heartbreaking case in November 2019, a 17-year-old boy in Sharjah, still getting to know to pressure, by chance ran over and killed his own mother.
Counsellors warn that young survivors of such incidents often experience long-term emotional trauma. Without proper psychological intervention, they may keep to have interaction in unstable behaviors in adulthood, further emphasizing the significance of early prevention.
Legal Consequences and Upcoming Law Changes
Under UAE Federal Traffic Law No. 21 of 1995, riding without a licence is against the law punishable by way of up to three years in jail and a minimal satisfactory of Dh5,000. Additionally, parents who knowingly permit or fail to prevent their youngsters from driving may additionally face felony outcomes. UAE government have maintained a strict 0-tolerance policy towards underage driving that allows you to cut down such incidents.
Starting March 29, the UAE’s up to date Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 on Traffic Regulation will come into effect, lowering the minimum age to obtain a driving licence for vehicles and mild automobiles from 18 to 17. While this alteration goals to create a safer path for younger drivers to benefit revel in legally, the regulation also tightens enforcement measures. Authorities now have the energy to arrest individuals engaged in dangerous riding, which may have broader implications for underage offenders.
Urgent Call for Action
In addition to criminal reforms, government strain that the number one responsibility for preventing underage using lies with parents. Ensuring minors apprehend the risks and prison implications is important. Experts urge parents to actively have interaction with their kids, set organization boundaries, and speak the dangers of dangerous using.
Schools are also being recommended to amplify consciousness campaigns that cope with the devastating effects of underage riding. By teaching college students about street safety and responsible behavior behind the wheel, authorities accept as true with they are able to better equip younger people to make more secure alternatives.
The tragic accident in Sharjah is yet some other reminder that underage driving isn’t always handiest a felony violation but also a severe danger to public protection. Through expanded parental supervision, progressed focus campaigns, and bolstered enforcement, authorities desire to reduce those preventable tragedies and ensure the safety of young drivers and the broader network.
+ There are no comments
Add yours