SB legislation failed to protect the population, with low use of restraints by citizens, military, and police, and virtually none among children and rear passengers. Lessons include the necessity of drafting laws that provide comprehensive and effective protection, study of cultural constraints to compliance with injury prevention measures, and locally effective interventions to prepare citizens and enforcers for the expected new behaviour. Highly tinted glass is widespread and poses a barrier to enforcement.
IntroductionTraffic mortality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is high; 2000–2006 incidence was reported as 10.1 per 100 000 person years for 0- to 4-year-olds and 7.8 for 5- to 14-year-olds. A 2004 study found only 4% of front-seated children and 1% in the rear restrained. Current legislation does not mandate child restraints (CRs); even for adults enforcement is limited. Since traffic police should be capable of supporting and enforcing regulations protecting children, their knowledge and attitudes toward CRs were assessed.MethodsA January to February 2008 cross-sectional survey in Al A in city included visiting each police station during shift changeover using self-administered questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perceptions and attitudes about CR.ResultsThe final sample included 260 traffic police (response 70%), 56% UAE citizens and 62% aged 25–34 years. For children <12-years-old, 94% felt rear seating was safest, although 3% chose the drivers lap. Misconceptions were greater respecting age-appropriate CRs, with 50% choosing booster seats as safest for infants, 48% rear-facing seats for 1- to 4-year-olds, and 50% rear-facing seats for 4- to 8-year-olds. CRs were felt necessary for front occupants among 86% and rear 87%. Traditional views on causality of crashes were prevalent; 93% cited destiny as a factor, 17% evil eye and 15% jinns.ConclusionDespite generally positive attitudes towards CRs, knowledge on age-appropriate types was limited and traditional views on causality prevalent. Education of police should include preventability of child injury and age-appropriate CRs.
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