Many motorists in the country have a limited understanding and low usage of backseat belts, a survey conducted by RoadSafetyUAE and QIC Insured has found.
Dubai - The number is highest among Emiratis, at 47 per cent, and 42 per cent among parents aged between 18 and 29
Published: Tue 25 Apr 2017, 10:13 AM
Last updated: Tue 25 Apr 2017, 12:08 PM
According to the findings of a study, one in three motorists in the UAE fail to fully protect their children while driving. Alarmingly, 34 per cent of motorists with children do not have proper child seats or booster cushions.
The number is highest among Emiratis, at 47 per cent, and 42 per cent among parents aged between 18 and 29.
The latest data released by RoadSafetyUAE and QIC Insured is part of a two-part survey that surveyed over 1,000 UAE residents of all ages and nationalities, which revealed a lack-lustre attitude among parents while driving.
The first part showed that many local motorists have a limited understanding and low usage of backseat belts, and that only just over half of motorists (56 per cent) always prompt all passengers, including children, to wear their seat belts.
Additionally, the survey showed that only 11 per cent of adults always buckle themselves up in the backseat, and that 55 per cent of passengers 'feel safe enough' in the backseat without a seat belt.
However, the survey shows a high level of knowledge of child restraint systems, with 93 per cent of respondents stating that 'kids are better protected with child seats and seat belts in case of accidents', with the highest score - 97 per cent - among females and motorists over the age of 35. The lowest level of knowledge was among drivers between the ages of 25 and 29, at 87 per cent.
"The poor behaviour of adults translates into poor habits to protect our children," said Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE. "We see one in three motorists failing to provide proper restraint systems for their kids and the identified reasons need to be addressed."
"The main message is a very simple one: if you love your kids, buckle them up, on all trips," he added. "It is of key importance to educate parents about the undebatable benefits of proper children restraint systems."
The reasons for not having proper child seats or booster seats account for cost reasons (29 per cent); children do not like to be strapped in (28 per cent), a lack of understanding of the need to buy child seat (25 per cent), and a belief that passengers holding children is adequately safe (15 per cent).
Motorists above 35 were most likely (36 per cent) to think child seats are too expensive, while parents between the ages of 30 and 39 were the most likely (39 per cent) to think that kids don't like to be strapped in. Young parents between the ages of 18 and 24 were the most likely (36 per cent) to not know which restraint system to purchase.
Parents don't prompt kids
Additionally, a large percentage of parents - 30 per cent - do not always prompt their kids to buckle up, even if they are among the 66 per cent with the proper equipment. This figure, however, drops to 42 per cent for young parents and 59 per cent for Emiratis.
The most significant reason for not prompting children to buckle up were the belief that they are not needed for short trips (37 per cent), children don't like being strapped in (32 per cent) and that perceived safe driving doesn't require proper safety measures (26 per cent).
Frederik Bisbjerg, executive vice-president, QIC Insured, MENA Retail, said that "the implementation of the holistic UAE seat belt law as of July 1, 2017, is a big step towards more road safety for children, as proper child systems will become mandatory".
"Besides parents, kids must also be educated from a very early age about the protective power of child seats, seat belts and booster cushions," he added. "The concerned stakeholders in the public and private segments, and especially the education sector, are challenged to protect children and educate them about safe conduct in vehicles."
One in three motorists fail to fully protect their children while driving
93% say kids are better protected with child seats, including 97 per cent of women and motorists above 35 years
34% of parents do not have child seats, including 47 per cent of Emiratis and 42 per cent of young parents
66% have the proper equipment, but only 70% prompt children to buckle up, which drops to 42% for young parents
32% children don't like being strapped in seat belts or booster cushions
Parents give their reasons for not using car seats
29% find it too expensive
15% say holding kids is as safe as child seats or booster cushions
28% say children don't like to be strapped in
25% don't know how to buy child seat or booster cushion 15% say they won't get involved in an accident
7% avoid seat belts for religious reasons
11% think child seats or booster cushions do not protect kids
37% think seat belts not necessary on short trips
5% say it is not part of their culture
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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