In Oman, the introduction of a traffic law mandating seat belt for all passengers and requiring child seats for children under the age of four was a significant step towards enhancing road safety.
Despite this progressive legislation, road safety experts argue that a more stringent enforcement mechanism is crucial to instigate a substantial shift in motorists’ behaviour.
According to Ali al Barwani, a prominent road safety expert, the law marked a pivotal moment in prioritising road safety. However, he notes that compliance with the regulations is disappointingly low. Passengers in rear seats frequently neglect to fasten their seat belts, and motorists often fail to insist on compliance. Additionally, there is a notable lack of enthusiasm for using child seats for children below the age of four. Al Barwani emphasises the necessity of law enforcement to effect a tangible transformation in this regard.
Citing clear evidence supporting the effectiveness of seat belts, child restraints, and baby seats in saving lives, Al Barwani points out that the amendments to the Oman Traffic Law were made with a clear understanding of these safety measures. However, the gap between legislation and adherence remains wide.
An anonymous concerned citizen conducted a brief survey, revealing alarming statistics. Out of ten passengers interviewed, nine admitted to not fastening their rear seat belts, and five out of eight acknowledged not securing their children in car seats. This revelation underscores a pervasive lack of awareness regarding the importance of adhering to these safety measures.
The citizen expressed shock at the survey results and highlighted the prevailing sentiment among respondents that, while the law exists, awareness about its specifics is lacking. This sentiment was echoed by Hamida al Adhubi, who suggested the need for increased awareness.
Hamida noted that many individuals, like herself, perceive travelling without a rear seat belt to be less dangerous than neglecting to buckle up in the front seat.
One challenge identified is the difficulty of compliance in larger Omani families, where having more than four passengers in a car makes it challenging to ensure everyone is properly buckled up. Despite this challenge, experts emphasise the imperative nature of law enforcement and increased awareness campaigns to bridge the gap between legislation and actual road safety practices.
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