Safety is a culture that must be learnt

For the sake of their children, parents need to be encouraged to drive more carefully

Few things in life are as tragic as children losing their lives in traffic accidents that could easily have been prevented. And yet young lives are extinguished this way all too often.
However, one school in Dubai is doing its best to ensure the safety of its young students – by appealing to their parents' better judgement.
As The National reported yesterday, it has been one week since Emerald City Nursery began following a policy of naming and shaming parents who pick up their children and then drive off without buckling them into safety seats or seat belts. So far, 11 parents have been left red-faced by their inclusion on a watch-list.
Under the campaign, "Buckle-Up or Face-Up!", the staff members at the Jumeirah nursery post the cars' registration numbers on a bulletin board to be seen by other parents and staff alike. For a second incident, they post the child's name under the heading "Child at Risk".
And the ploy seems to be working. Since being caught, all the shamed parents have taken care to secure their children.
While this campaign has been well-received and praised, it is important to acknowledge that such name-and-shame tactics will not necessarily work as smoothly in all elements of the UAE's – or any – society. Culturally, such measures will be less acceptable to some people than to others. In general, we must be cautious not to infringe on privacy.
But a culture of safety is urgent for all members of society, and this school's tactic is one usefult tool among others in developing that culture, about seat belts and other matters as well. For their part, the governments and traffic police of the separate emirates will want to continue their efforts to raise awareness and improve safety standards, efforts that have had varying levels of success.
Ultimately, though, this is a matter for the public more than the police. All the legislation, preventive measures and penalties in the world will not be enough if drivers are not prepared to change some habits for the sake of the children in their care. There is no need for children to die because they are not strapped in.
The steps taken by Emerald City Nursery show that quick results can be achieved on a small scale, when appropriate tactics are used. But there is still a lot of work to be done.