As a major distributor of vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman, Wattayah Motors has seen the importance of safety features in protecting occupants against injury in a collision. However, even the most technologically advanced cars and trucks cannot protect against unsafe driving behaviors such as driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or an improperly installed child safety seat.

We would like to take this opportunity to share with you some tips on keeping you and your children safe in motor vehicles.

Protecting Infants and Small Children
Newborns and small children require special attention when riding in motor vehicles. Safety tests show that the risk of injury or death for a child in a motor vehicle crash is reduced by 71 percent when the child is properly restrained in a child safety seat.

There are many things that you as a parent must consider and remember, with regard to safety seats. When you purchase a child seat restraint, be sure to read the manufacturer's directions thoroughly. Learn the proper way to install the car seat and correct positioning of your child in the seat. This is extremely important. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that at least one in four safety seats is grossly misused to some extent.

Following are some common mistakes parents make when installing and using child safety seats:

• Wrong: Placing a rear facing infant seat in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with dual airbags.
• Right: An inflating airbag, in a car meeting with an accident at high speed, can cause serious or total brain damage. Always place children 12 years old and under in the rear seat and make sure they are properly restrained. Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front seat. Always move the driver and front passenger seats as far back as practical. Always wear your safety belt.
• Wrong: Turning safety seat forward facing too early in the child's infant years.
• Right: Seats for infants should be facing the rear. Before turning the seat forward, the baby must be at least one year old, able to sit up, weigh 20 lbs and be ready to use the top shoulder strap slot of the child safety seat. Consult your manufacturer's instruction book for more detailed information.
• Wrong: Infant safety seat is angled too far down.
• Right: Safety seat should be positioned at a 45-degree angle to distribute crash forces over the baby's back instead of the head and spinal cord.
• Wrong: Reclining a front-facing child safety seat.
• Right: A front-facing seat must be used at a 90-degree angle for best protection.
• Wrong: Not checking all harness straps in child safety seat for proper fit and placement.
• Right: Check safety seat for a snug fit and be certain all harness straps are in place each time your child is in the seat.
• Wrong: Using a child safety seat not appropriate for your child's weight and age.
• Right: As you child grows, be certain to adjust the safety seat correctly. Safety seats are designed to protect children according to age and weight. Consult the safety seat manufacturer's instruction book for guidelines. Avoid using booster-type safety seats. Although the booster seat elevates the child to properly use the vehicle's shoulder and lap safety belts, it can be of danger to a child under three - even a tall or heavy child.
• Wrong: Only using child safety seats on long trips.
• Right: Restrain your child properly in the safety seat each and every time you drive. Studies show most collisions occur within 40 kms of your home.

Keeping school-age children safe in vehicles can be a tough challenge, as children's motor skills dramatically improve and curiosity levels grow, even for parents who are focusing on safe driving. When it comes to traffic safety for children in this age group, discipline is an important ingredient for safely.

The Following are some tips on teaching your children proper drive-time behavior:

• First and foremost, set rules with your children about riding in the car.
• Safety belts are always worn; the car does not move until everyone's safety belts are fastened properly. Adults in the car need to be role models. By fastening your safety belt immediately when getting in the car, you set a good example for your child.
• Stick to a pull-over policy. There is to be no arguing, yelling, etc. while in the car. This behavior can distract the driver and potentially cause a collision. If this behavior is taking place, the driver should pull over until the children have stopped being disruptive.
• Remember to be firm and always stick to the drive-time rules you set. By teaching your children good safety habits, such as wearing a safety belt, chances are they will continue safe behavior as they get older.
• As a parent of school-age children, you face other traffic safety challenges as your children start to venture out of the front yard. Talk to them about specific safety rules especially when taking part in activities on sidewalks or in the street - bike riding or in-line skating, for instance.
• Emphasize the importance of wearing safety gear when bike riding and skating. In fact, it is now the law in some states that children under the age of 18 wear a helmet while bicycling.
• Discuss how to stay in control when using in-line skates and bicycles. Remind your children that they may have to stop quickly for cars.
• Peer pressure starts now. Teach your kids that it's OK to walk away when their friends are engaging in dangerous activities.
• And, of course, review the safe way to cross streets and intersections.

Traffic Safety and Your Teenager:
The teenage years are not only a difficult time for many young people, but also extremely nerve racking and scary for parents. As your teen begins riding in cars with friends and then driving themselves, there are many adult issues that need to be discussed such as peer pressure.

One of the best things you can do as a parent is to set the tone for open communication and trust before problems start.

Address excessive speed and reckless driving. Teens are often involved in crashes involving high speeds and poor judgment approaching curves and changing lanes. Talk with your teen about speaking up when a friend is driving too fast. Consider sending your teen to a driving program - above and beyond the standard driver's education required by the Department of Motor Vehicles - that gives them ample time behind the wheel and specifically targets the skills that new drivers often lack.

Remind your teen that unsafe driving behavior can result in the suspension of his or her driver's license. Many teens consider their license a ticket to freedom - remind them that driving is a privilege and it can be taken away.

Reinforce the importance of wearing a safety belt.