Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has issued a new advisory to parents and guardians regarding age-appropriate seating and protection measures for children in vehicles. The guidelines are part of an ongoing effort to enhance passenger safety and reduce risks during travel.

According to the Ministry's latest safety standards:

- Ages 1–3 years: Children must be secured in a dedicated child car seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

- Ages 3–10 years: Children are required to be seated in the rear seats of the vehicle.

- Ages 10+ years: Children in this age group are permitted to sit in the front seat.

The MOI emphasized that allowing children under the age of 10 to sit in the front seat is a violation of Article 55 of the Traffic Law. Authorities warned that front-seat airbags, which are designed for adult protection, can be fatal to younger children due to their smaller body size and the force of deployment.

Regardless of age or seating position, the Ministry stressed that seat belts must be properly fastened and worn by all passengers at all times. These measures are critical as data suggests children in the front seat are eight times more likely to sustain serious injuries during an accident compared to those seated correctly in the rear.

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