Saudi Arabia imposes fines for allowing children to sit in the front seat

Saudi Arabia’s traffic authorities have started imposing fines on motorists for violations such as allowing the use of front seats for children under the age of 10, and not installing child safety seats, a local newspaper reported.

The violation carries a fine of between SR 300 and SR 500. Motorists are required by law to provide safety seats for children upon boarding. Only vehicles without rear seats will be permitted to travel with children in the front seats.

The report added that these violations will be booked on the site until surveillance cameras are installed to monitor them.

Child restraints are only permitted to be installed in the rear passenger seats. 

According to a World Health Organization report, when properly installed and used, child restraints reduce infant mortality by approximately 70% and small child mortality by between 54% and 80%.