Abu Dhabi: An Emirati teenager's intellect and concern for society beyond his years has gained him recognition from Abu Dhabi Police.
Khalid Mohammad Ali Al Shemmari, 18, got a pat on the back from senior police officials for a device invented by him that makes it impossible for a vehicle to move unless the driver fastens the seatbelt. He was awarded a certificate of merit by the police at their headquarters last week.
Based on official directives the police are soon to try out the device in their fleet of vehicles, Al Shemmari said. And if all goes well it might be made compulsory in all UAE vehicles, he said.
"My elder brother met with an accident and suffered a head injury because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. This incident got me thinking ... it led to the invention.
"Unless the driver fastens his seatbelt, the gear will not move and this way the driver will be forced to use the belt in order to travel, once the device is installed."
According to him, failure to fasten seatbelts is common and a major cause of accidents. Officials could not agree more with Al Shemmari's observation.
Last year alone, 430 people died of road accident injuries in Abu Dhabi which means that 69 per cent of all fatalities caused by injuries were due to road accidents.
Moreover, road accident deaths accounted for 15 per cent of all deaths in the emirate, Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) figures reveal. HAAD named failure to use seatbelts as one of the major risk factors impacting the severity of injuries in accidents and urged drivers to use seatbelts as it can reduce road deaths by up to 60 per cent.
Al Shemmari's contribution to help authorities enforce the seatbelt rule, however, faced some clashes of interest - not all of his peers are happy with his invention.
"A few of my friends hate me now ... they called and shouted at me after they found out about the device. They said that if officials make it compulsory on all vehicles they will be forced to strap up."
A resident of Al Ain, Al Shemmari is a Grade 12 student at Khalifa Bin Zayed High School. His sole support and encouragement was his teacher who helped him attain his goal, he says.
"When I received a call from the police I was shocked! Until this award, I felt no one cared about it."
He added that the appreciation will encourage his fellow students to think up similar devices.
Major General Mohammad Bin Al Awadi Al Menhali, acting Director-General of Police Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, awarded the certificate to Al Shemmari "for his invaluable contribution to traffic safety".
Al Menhali thanked the teenager for his creativity, his sense of responsibility towards the community and for using his talents to benefit all members of society.
How careful are you when it comes to the driver and passengers in a car wearing seatbelts? Would you call yourself a safe driver? Why or Why not?
Your comments
This is a great initiative from this young man. Unless people lose someone that they will realise how important seat belts are. I notice that a lot of families drive around with their kids on their laps or left without seat belt on the back seat. These parents are sometimes found using their mobile phones at the same time. This kind of attitude shows how much they are either clueless, irresponsible or careless about their child or their own safety. Please parents, if you love your children, do care about their security as well. Start educating your child with the importance of seat belt from a very young age. There is a reason out there why, baby and child car seats are available in the market. Please make use of them or use the seat belt. A concern resident.
Mary
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 17:24
Hats off Khalid Al Shemmari! That was a great invention. Good thinking. The world needs people like you. It is high time that all the passengers of a vehicle are supposed to wear their seat belts. This makes sure that the vehicle is not overcrowded and hence would be able to minimise the risking of lives.
Daryl
Ajman,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 17:21
Great idea! I hope it gains universal acceptance.
Jimmie
Mississauga, Ontario,Canada
Posted: September 13, 2009, 17:13
Well done Khalid...!! I didn't know the technical details... But I am just worried when the people are in some real dangerous life threatening emergencies... I don't think this would be a good idea stopping the car from moving. Well indeed a loud buzzer noise inside the car without stop until the belt is done will do the job, instead of the conventional minor-beeps fading out after some time... What do you say Khalid?. And it is just my thought, dismiss it if I am wrong
Hassan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 16:51
Well done Mr. Shemmari, but I also happen to agree with Alan's comments. If people think it is "cool" not to wear seat belts, one should wonder whether they deserve any kind of sympathy when they are killed through not wearing them!! The rest of the world has seen the sense in wearing seat belts for the last thirty years!
Roger Swainson
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 16:31
I like the invention, however I don't think this statement is correct: "...failure to fasten seatbelts is common and a major cause of accidents." Failure to wear a seatbelt doesn't cause accidents, but it increases the chances of a serious injury.
Ziad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 15:43
I have the same comment as Bu Omar, I think that unless people are educated in the road safety issues, they will just buckle the belt in and sit in the seat without the belt on. This is a big problem in my home country, Ireland. Best wishes with the goals you have set.
Kat James
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 15:13
I would like to thank you for this attention and I would like to make it clear that I will work hard to protect the rights.
Khalid Mohammad Al Shammari
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 15:06
Congratulations Khalid on the fab invention, you realise you'll be saving lives and those dependent on them. But folks will always find a way around it. Some might just go ahead and buckle it up and then sit on it, like Abdul Bashir's pointed out.
Pradz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 14:32
Can anyone come up with a system to wake up sleepy driver, similar systems to warn when white lines are crossed, so that this system should reduce the likelihood of false alarms. Not only can it stay quiet if there is a reason for the manoeuvres being performed, it can wake a driver before a line is actually crossed, rouse drivers before they quite literally drift off completely.
Horwing
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 14:23
Congratulations to the young man and his innovation. I hope the government will make this device compulsory in all vehicles and put forward the mandate to vehicle manufacturers. Having lost friends to traffic accidents, irrespective of who's fault it was, wearing a seat belt puts a hefty ratio towards saving your life whether you like it or not. Once again - kudos to Al Shemmari.
Tarun Pillai
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 13:52
Each day, I observe these from drivers on the road: -Unfastened seatbelts -one hand on the phone and another on the wheel -texting on their mobile phones -left foot on the dashboard It's really sad to see abusive drivers everywhere.
Cole
Al Ain,PH
Posted: September 13, 2009, 13:52
Good on him! In an ideal world of course, people would have enough sense and respect for their own life and the lives of others to wear a seatbelt without needing a device such as this. But, as it stands, this invention is a great idea and will definitely save lives. Well done and congratulations on the well-deserved award.
Jackie
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 13:31
Good Job! Can anyone come up with a device that can be installed in a vehicle which will check alcohol content and not start if it shows positive...That can also reduce accidents..Start thinking!
Satyajit
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 12:47
This is a wonderful solution. this way we can reduce the injuries happening to drivers.
Fatima Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 12:39
Definetely needs to be appreciatiated for innovating such devices for public safety. It is very true most of the time the driver forgets to wear his seat belt. but in uae, the law also needs an appreciation as i have never seen a driver without seat belt in the 4 years which i have spent here.
Wajida Salik
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 11:56
God Bless You, We need young mind and guys like you in this world. Very good and life saving invention.
Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 11:34
we should encourage young people like that abu dhabi police has honoured he young man.
Paramjit Auluck
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 10:24
this is a great invention
Waseem
Bangalore,India
Posted: September 13, 2009, 10:09
This is a wonderful solution; this way we can reduce the injuries happening to the driver. Great achievement Al Shemmari. What about the passenger in front next to the drivers seat does his seat belt detects this device?
Efthikar
Dubai,U.A.E.
Posted: September 13, 2009, 09:42
It is an great invention and really appreciate for his hard work. We can implement this to all of our vehicles. We are interested to see how this safety system works.
Vijay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 09:38
Well done! Its always nice to see good inventions coming from young people.
Henry
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 09:31
this is good invention but what if driver just lock up seat belt and sit over the belt without wearing will the car gear start moving?
Mohammad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 09:28
Mabrook! you've done a great job. and definitely it will save many lives and will benefit the entire world. Thanks a lot dear.
Sajjad Hussain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 09:11
This is great initiative by a young man, though the security and safety at the road is not from the driver of each car alone, the discipline and humanitarian care for everybody in the road is a must to stick in the mind of all drivers!
Alba
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:59
I would like to congratulate Mr. Shemmari on his invention, which could save a lot of lives. I personally think that this should be made compulsory for everyone who drives any vehicle. When it comes out in the market it should be priced at an affordable price, so that everyone could have the benefit of this product. Well done, once again!
Mickey
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:52
If you don't have the intellectual capacity to wear a seat belt in a vehicle, you shouldn't be in one in the first place, let alone driving one.
Alan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:50
This is a superb invention! Will save a lot of lives in accidents.
Dauad Bangash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:49
Yes, this is right and I even could not allow a person sitting next to me and not wearing a seat belt. The seat belt safety is for us only. I have seen lot of teenagers driving a car or even some time SUV are not wearing a seat belts. I am always following all safety procedures before start of any journey and will advise all to follow the same.
Salman Khan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:49
Brilliant. I hope all the car manufacturer will look into this device installed in their cars. Keep up the good work, Mr. Khalid Mohammad Ali Al Shemmari.
David Wong
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:32
Congratulations Mr. Khalid Mohammad Ali Al Shemmari. You have done a very good thing. It is really heartening to see young people like you care for others. I at least appreciate your contribution. Hope the authorities gets your device approved and implemented as quickly as possible. It is scary to see so many people driving without seat belts.
Syed Mansoor
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:27
I wish to congratulate the young Khalid Mohammad Ali Al Shemari though this invention is not new. There are cars already which won?t start unless the driver fastens the seat belt. Kudos to the young man that was innovative, irregardless. Cars around the should be able to detect consumption of alcohol to curb drunken driving.
Olive Otieno
Nairobi,Kenya
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:18
I am sorry to say in these modern cars, if a person does not put his seat belt an alarm goes on which creates irritation for the driver so a person who does not want to put on the seat belt clips the seat belt without him sitting on the seat and then he drives, so I don't feel it is a success, anyways good work my friend
Ajay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:02
Kudos to the young teenager. I have a lot of friends who don't wear seatbelts. When I saw this news, I was very happy that the young generation is proactive when it comes to road and self safety.
Reena
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 08:00
This is a great invention and would lead to more safety at roads and in turn will reduce the number of fatal accidents. His statement that it irritated his friends is clear to show how negligent people still are, despite the increasing number of accidents. Its pleasing enough to see that a teenager's invention is being appreciated by the Abu Dhabi Police.
Raj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 07:41
Congratulations! Im very proud of your creativity/innovation ideas when its fixed all vehicle you are saved peoples life. Encouragements make more innovations.
Padmanaban Lakshmipathy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 07:29
It is very heartening to learn that youngsters like Khalid Mohammed are stressing the importance of seat belt. This modification will be a welcome addition but, have you noticed that there are a certain percentage of people who first engage the seat belt and sit over it? I always tell myself that these people value their seat more than their life and hence put the seat belt over their seat and not over themselves!
Vidyashankar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 07:26
Awesome. Good for him. It is a step in the right direction. But, what happens if they un-fasten after the car is in gear?
Wendy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 06:47
I drive safe because I love my life and my family. But there should be such a device for all the driving with phones in their hands. Not using the seat belt and talking on the phone while driving, cost people their life. They should think about all innocent people that will be affected by their reckless driving.
Anne
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 06:17
this is a nice technology, but their is a way to overcome this. even if this is made compulsory. people will strap their belts behind their back, or bring it from behind their seats and then strap it. where their is a will their is a way
Abdul Basir
Ajman,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 02:20
This is excellent news. I hope the device is installed on all vehicles so that even if drivers are careless, the cars will not be. Three cheers for Khalid Mohammad Ali Al Shemmari.
Baber
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 01:10
Wow, Well done. Cheers to you young man. Its about time someone came up with such a device and I hope this becomes mandatory for all vehicles. Safety comes first. More needs to be done and this may be a good start to safe journey.
Sanjeev Vijayan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 00:47
Well done Khalid Al Shemmari, but I have only single doubt which we have often seen with drivers just inserting the seat belt into the holder and fasten them from top whenever feared about police. Will this device detect if the driver has worn a seat belt properly? Wish you all the best and hope this is implemented very soon.
Bu Omar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 00:43
