UAE expats want seat belt, child car seat law in home countries

Dubai - After initial discomfort, UAE residents are now following the new traffic rules, realising its for their own safety.

Despite the initial awkward period of adjustment following the implementation of the new federal traffic rules relating to mandatory seat belts and child car seats, many residents are now calling for the same rules to be enforced in their home countries.

Since the new rules came into effect on Saturday, residents have been raising their concerns about the need for such strict car etiquette. This is mainly due to the varying cultural habits when it comes to the rules of the road.

But many are now realising the benefits of the new system.

"I am very much in favour of this life saving initiative. I wish my home country of India would also implement such a rule," Dubai resident Amit Singh told Khaleej Times.

Initially, he said people felt a "little uneasy" about the need to wear a seatbelt or place a child in a seat, and that's because they're simply not used to it.

"But slowly they will realise that it's beneficial for the safety of kids as well as for the whole family," he said.

Like Singh, mother-of-one Rupal Panjani can see the positive long-term impact this new rule will have on road safety.

"I am totally for this new rule and wish this could be made compulsory in my home country (India) as well. In the recent past, few cities have made seat belts a must, and we end up taking life for granted, which is sad," she said.

And Palestinan expatriate, Rawan Al Hussain said the perspective and stance towards seat belts in the Arab World needs to change.

"It is the best rule created for child safety. Seat belts save lives and in the case of major impact accidents, passengers in the back seat can often been thrown from the car if seatbelts are not worn."

For Egyptian resident Ahmed Lasheen, it may be mandatory for drivers in Egypt to wear seatbelts, but the rule doesn't apply to children or passengers. And this is something he would like to see change.

"I think this is a really positive amendment to the federal traffic law here. You're protecting yourself and other people."

Although some nationalities are struggling to come to terms with the concept, he said it is just something they have to deal with.

"This will for sure improve discipline levels on the road."

And fellow Egyptian resident, Ayman Ali, said the seat belt law is "completely justified".

"We're completely careless with our own safety in vehicles in the Middle East. People tend to think that only drivers should wear seatbelts since they are most at risk, but actually everyone is equally at risk."

A welcome amendment

In the UK, these rules have been around for many years, so for British expats Jeff Price and Zeyna Sanjania, they have been a long time coming in the UAE.

"I'm totally for it and support it 100 per cent. We have always implemented it and for those who don't agree with it, they need to realise it is for the safety of their children and others," Price told Khaleej Times.

Although the majority of mothers Sanjania knows are all very pro car seats, she said there are a handful of mums of local culture that are finding it a challenge to adapt to.

"It's shocking for me to see kids in the front seat sitting on the lap of their mothers, but it happens here. However, I hope the severe fine and points system are a good initiative to change this mindset," she said.

But some residents are still finding the financial impact of the rule change hard to swallow.  

Dubai-based Abdul Sharef said although the new rule promotes safety, it is a "burden for large families".

"Car seats are very expensive and some families cannot afford to buy them. For families with several children that means numerous units have to be purchased."

And he is still skeptical of the 'seatbelts for all' rule.

"Seatbelts for all members of a big family is not practical. It is a cultural habit, and children who are not trained to sit in a seat or wear a seat belt will find it difficult to adjust."

And while Filipino expat, Richard Dela Cruz, agrees with the seatbelt rule, the violation penalty of Dh400 is "far too hefty".

kelly@khaleejtimes.com

(With inputs from Sherouk Zakaria)

• Dubai