National Petrochemical Industrial Co. (NATPET) collaborates with Safra Defensive Driving Academy to address safety

On this occasion, Mr. Hamed Khalil, Vice President, Marketing and Sales of NATPET stated
"In spite of all the measures taken by the government to build new and wider highways, install monitoring systems, and take all necessary life saving measures, road accidents are still on the rise compared to many other countries."

To this Mr. Khalil added,

"Official studies have shown that road accidents are the leading cause of death in the KSA, with an average of 1 death and 4 injuries every hour. The royal decree released by the Council of Ministers on Monday 18/11/1997, which makes it mandatory to use seatbelts and baby car seats, will significantly contribute to reducing road accidents."

Seatbelts are designed to protect passengers from hitting the dashboard or getting propelled out of the vehicle through the windshield upon sudden impact.

Simultaneously, one study has shown that front seat passenger mortality can be reduced by nearly 80% if back seat passengers also wear seatbelts. Additionally, wearing seatbelts decreases the percentage of mortality during accidents by 50% for passengers in the front seats and 60% for passengers in the back seats.

The same study also shows that most countries around the world make it compulsory for the driver and front seat passenger to wear seatbelts, while a few require all passengers to wear seatbelts, noting that back seat passengers who wear them are 50% less likely to get injured or killed in a car crash.

"We, at NATPET, believe that the active participation in this social issue is a duty that will enable us to help our society in resolving this current problem. Our country is witnessing an alarming increase in accidents and deaths, whereas many other countries have successfully curbed their accident rates. As a final note, adults that do not wear their seatbelts are sending the message that seatbelts are unnecessary to their children." Concluded Mr. Khalil.