What seatbelts? Some stick heads out of cars

Images of two teenagers sticking their head out (through the sun-roof of their SUV), while being driven around in Abu Dhabi has sparked a fresh round of debate about passenger safety on the social media circuit.
 
Many citizens claimed it’s, unfortunately, a norm to spot such blatant disregard of passenger safety in the UAE.
 
The image posted on facebook by the Buckle Up In The Back facebook page, highlighted how it’s shocking that such incidents are prevalent.
 
“It's NEVER ok to allow any child to do this however short the journey,” read the caption.
 
Founded by Lesley Cully, the Buckle Up In The Back campaign is working towards spreading awareness about passenger safety.
 
As soon as the picture was posted, many residents wrote in to show their displeasure, and to report that this wasn’t an isolated case.
 
“I see this sort of thing around Meadows. I think people 'assume' that just because they're doing a few laps of a quiet community development, that it's 'okay' to have kids popping out of roof tops,” wrote a UAE resident.
 
“I see this every day in Silicon Oasis,” wrote another.
 
“Happens way too often in Dubai also! Why doesn't people get it?” added another.
 
According to the statistics published in March this year by the World Health Organisation, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatality among front-seat passengers by 40–50% and of rear-seat passengers by between 25–75%.
 
Although there is a law in Dubai stressing on the importance of being belted in the front, there is still nothing concrete for rear passengers and child-seats.
 
“It’s shocking how many commuters are willing to overlook their own safety while being driven around,” voiced Katherine, a resident.
 
She claimed that in her home country (USA), a newborn is required by law to be placed in a childseat on her maiden journey from the hospital to home.
 
What’s even more crucial to note is that SUVs, due to its bulky exterior and higher center of gravity, are more prone to rollover accidents than sedans.
 
In fact, last year, Dubai had witnessed a horrific accident in Al Warqa, where two Emirati youths were killed when their SUV flipped over. While their friends survived with injuries, the two who had stuck their heads over the roof hatch of their car were not so lucky.
 

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