What would happen if you had a crash and your child wasn’t wearing a seatbelt?
The safety of our children is paramount, which is why we make sure they’re aware of and safe from danger. So why do many kids in Abu Dhabi cars still not wear seatbelts?
Thomas Edelmann is the managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, an online platform that aims to improve the education of road safety in the country. “The law states that the front two passengers are the only ones who need to wear a seatbelt,” he says. “This has to change.
“We see many children roaming around the car, between the front seats or on laps of adults – even on the driver’s lap. They need to be in a child seat or when they are the right age and size, buckled up with a seatbelt. Without a seatbelt, there’s a risk of severe injury or death.
“Studies show that seat belts reduce fatalities in vehicle accidents between 45 per cent and 60 per cent, depending on the type of car and impact,” continues Thomas. “Specifically, the risk of death for rear seat passengers wearing a seat belt is reduced by 60 per cent. Backseat passengers wearing a seatbelt also reduces the risk of front seat passengers dying five-fold.”
In 2013, 5,124 accidents caused 7,743 injuries and 651 fatalities according to the Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police. These numbers have since gone down even though the number of cars on the roads has increased – but child seats are still not being used.
Child seats come in various sizes for different ages and weights. Under ones or babies under 9kg should be in a rear-facing child seat at a 45° angle.
For children over 9kg, a forward-facing child seat should be used. Follow your car and child seat manuals to make sure they are fitted correctly.
Booster seats should be used for pre-school children who weigh between 18kg and 35kg and are less than 145cm tall.
Children above 35kg and 145cm can safely wear a seat belt without extra seating.
Which type of car seat?
When you come to choose a child car seat, remember that your child’s weight is a more important factor than his or her age.
The United Nations has defined safety standards for child seats, and any seat you use should confirm to these – look for a reference to ECE R44-03 or R 44-04, or to the newer EU R129 regulation. These group car seats by recommended weights – and installing a seat for your child before he or she reaches its minimum weight “because they’ll grow into it” is a very bad idea: it can actually lead to more severe injuries in a crash.
Need to know
Child seats can be bought from www.mumzworld.com, Babyshop 02 644 5933 www.landmarkshops.com and Mothercare 02 695 8202 www.mothercare.com. For more road safety information visit: www.roadsafetyuae.com
WORDS Jack Dignum
