In its role as main sponsor, Alfardan Automobiles, the exclusive BMW Group importer in Qatar, supported this year’s GCC Traffic Week by distributing child booster cushions as part of its drive to raise awareness of the importance of buckling up.
With the aim of educating families about the importance of wearing seatbelts and using child safety restraints in cars, Alfardan Automobile offered complimentary booster cushions to families with children between the ages of 6 and 11 years and weighing between 22kg and 36kg (the internationally recognised safest weights).
This initiative is part of BMW Group Middle East’s ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ campaign which was launched in 2010 with a focus on enlightening the public about the importance of using appropriate safety restraints while travelling by car, particularly those for children.
Until the age of seven, children’s bones are still forming and their skull and ribcage are still extremely flexible. This means that any impact can result in significant deformation of the head and brain, or damage to the heart, lungs and other internal organs. At this age, the pelvis is unstable and cannot withstand the forces from the use of regular seat-belts and therefore appropriate child restraints are essential to reduce the risk of injury. The stand also served as point of contact with young drivers to further educate them on safe driving.
Mohammed Kandeel, Chief Operating Officer, Alfardan Group – Automotive Operations, commented: “GCC Traffic Week is the ideal platform to raise awareness on the importance of road safety and an initiative that we have been committed to for a number of years. As an integral member of the Qatar community and automotive industry leader, it is our duty to help people understand how best to protect themselves on the roads. The aim of this particular activity was to make parents aware that when children graduate out of the car seat, they need to be in a booster seat because adult seatbelts won’t fit them properly. In fact, in the case of an accident, booster seats can cut serious injuries by half.”
To help parents understand which seat to choose for their child, Alfardan Automobiles shares the following guide, created by BMW Group Middle East:
1) Rear-facing Infant Car Seat: Designed for children under the age of one year, this seat provides the best protection until they’re one year old and weigh at least 13 kg. At BMW, this is known as BMW Baby Seat 0+.
2) Child Safety Seat: Targeting toddlers aged 1-4 years, a child safety seat secures your child and spreads the force of a crash across a wide area. This seat should last until either the child’s weight exceeds 18 kg or they grow too tall for the seat. At BMW, this is known as BMW Junior Seat I-II.
3) Booster Seat: Made for small children aged 4-6 years, a booster seat works by raising the child to the correct height for the car’s adult seat-belt to work properly. It has a seat back that can provide additional protection in the event of a side impact. The booster seat should be used until the child is approximately 145 cm tall. At BMW, this is known as BMW Junior Seat II-III.
4) Booster Cushion: The final option before your child transitions to the three-point lap and diagonal seat-belt featured in your car, the booster cushion is designed for children aged 6 -11 years, that weigh from 22 to 36 kg. Some manufacturers are now producing backs that cover the full 15 to 36 kg range.
The Peninsula
