ABU DHABI // A law making child car seats mandatory, coupled with effective enforcement and public education campaigns, is needed to reduce the number of children killed or hurt in traffic accidents, experts said.
Sixty per cent of all child deaths in Abu Dhabi were because of road-traffic injuries, according to Health Authority Abu Dhabi statistics from 2013.
The correct use of car seats can reduce the likelihood of car crash deaths by 70 per cent in infants, according to the World Health Organisation.
The WHO’s top road-safety goals are: mandatory use of rear seat belts; use of child seats; and crash-helmet standards.
“In the UAE we have none of these goals in place, yet as a society we strive to have the lowest casualties in the world. The two just don’t go together,” said Simon Labbett, regional director for the Transport Research Laboratory, a UK consultancy.
“If we are not going to introduce the top requirements for casualty reduction, then we need to stop suggesting we aim to have the lowest casualties.”
The introduction of a compulsory child-seat law was discussed at a federal level in March last year.
“Evidence from many countries across the world shows that education alone will not increase the fitment of child seats and the use of rear seat belts,” Mr Labbett said.
“Only if the education is supported by mandatory legislation and effective enforcement will the rates of use increase to include the majority of users.”
If there is not a law in place, police can give only warnings and advice to motorists, said Glenn Havinoviski, a transport expert who opened traffic management company Iteris in Abu Dhabi in 2011.
“Enforcing the law allows for penalties to be issued if children below a specific age are not fastened in child seats,” he said.
The UAE would do well to have an influential political champion to put road safety as a top priority, and to ensure that those who believe we are just about to enact legislation to deliver on their claims, according to Mr Labbett.
“Ever since 2009 I have been constantly told seat belt and child seat legislation is about to be made mandatory,” he said.
“Nothing has changed, including the casualties and injuries that could have been prevented by appropriate legislation and enforcement.”
