Seat belts are a step to safety

To reduce the high road toll, young people must realise that they are not invincible

Wearing seat belts and slowing down saves lives. Courtesy RAK Police

The Emirati father who lost his two sons in a recent car crash has an important message: "I want young motorists not to speed and drive safely, especially in rain, so they do not break their families' hearts." Brothers Saud and Khalifa's car was found wrapped around a lamppost in Khor Fakkan last Friday. Sharjah Police said the cause of accident was excessive speed in wet conditions which led to a loss of control over the car.

Unfortunately, such tragedies are not uncommon on our roads – in both wet and dry weather – simply because many people do not take roadsafety seriously. Many motorists fail to follow even basic driving rules, including the use of seat belts. As The National reports today, a new study shows that even though the level of understanding that seat belts protect drivers and front-seat passengers was as high as 91 per cent, there was an alarmingly low level of seat belt use among Emirati drivers and front-seat passengers, and young drivers and front-seat passengers between the ages of 18 and 24.

This is clearly why the UAE has introduced a law requiring drivers to ensure that all adults and children in their car are buckled up, and setting a Dh400 fine and a four-black-point penalty for those who fail to comply. The law, which will come into force soon, is a critical step in delivering the stark message that seat belts save lives: not just for drivers, but for those sitting in the back of the car, including children who need age-appropriate safety seats.

Enforcement of the law will bring home the message to those who offend, but we also need more awareness and educational campaigns to get this message across before accidents occur. When it comes to young people, peer pressure plays a role in the flouting of basic traffic regulations. Instead of feeling ashamed of failing to wear a seat belt, some young people see it as a sign of strength or prowess. To create a cultural shift, young drivers must know that they are not invincible; in fact they are more likely to be involved in a fatal accident because they are less experienced than other road users. Tough laws and education are critical to make our roads safer for everyone.