Car seats for kids to become law in Oman

“Even when we travelled to other countries, it was a law there to have them in car seats,” he added. “I suggest every person that has a child buy the proper car seats today, not tomorrow, to protect their children. A simple push of the breaks could affect the children.”

Um Khalid, an Omani mother of three, said, “It is just the right thing to do. Using the seats makes it easier for both the children and the parents. It also makes them more comfortable and safe in the car, and is very convenient. We are just used to it. If none of my children are restrained, it makes me very nervous. I just got my licence a year ago, so I want everybody to wear seatbelts. Sometimes they refuse, but they know it is a must.”

According to the 2017 figures released by the Royal Oman Police and the Directorate General of Traffic, some 4,721 accidents took place in 2016, with 2,076 of them due to collisions, and a further 1,125 taking place owing to collisions with fixed objects. Some 692 deaths and 3,261 injuries took place on Oman’s roads in 2016.

One out of every 10 deaths due to accidents in 2016 were children aged 15 and under. Drivers on Oman’s roads suffered 1,729 injuries and 298 deaths, while a further 1,206 passenger injuries and 238 deaths also occurred.

However, there has been an 18.4% drop in accidents in 2017. At the end of November 2017, 3,478 deaths occurred between January and November, down from 4,260 during the same period last year.