DOHA: A new safety device, ‘Lifebelt’ that prevents car engines from starting until the driver puts on the seat belt is likely to hit the market soon.
The dealers are expecting a good demand for the device when it is launched especially from parents and employers.
“We are all set to market the Lifebelt in the coming two or three months and all arrangements have been finalised in this regard,” said Zaid Al Hamdan, Executive Director Ajyal Tek (an IT company) in an exclusive talk with The Peninsula.
The road safety device was invented by Robert Allison in 2009. Lifebelt is a seat belt ignition interlock system after installation of which the vehicle’s engine will not start until the belt is buckled.
The device caught public attention when Allison first threw light on the Lifebelt in the second episode of Shark Tank’s first season in August 2009.
Al Hamdan said that the potential buyers of the device would be parents and employers. “Parents are welcoming this device as they think it will develop seat belt wearing habit among children while the companies would get them installed in their vehicles to ensure the safety of their employees,” said Al Hamdan.
He said that his company had won international distribution rights of Lifebelt which is manufactured by an international ISO certified company. He said that the manufacturer had the capacity to produce as many as 20,000 units per week.
“Our company Ajyal Tek has also introduced some modifications in the Lifebelt,” he added.
He said according to international studies 80 per cent reduction in deaths caused by accidents had been noticed if motorists wore a seat belt.
“Lifebelt eventually develops the habit of wearing seat belts,” he said.
He said his company was in talks with various industrial units in Qatar for installation of Lifebelt in workers’ buses.
“Our talks with Woqod have been fruitful and the device will be available for sale at all Woqod fuel stations, when it is launched,” he said. The price of the Lifebelt, Al Hamdan said, would be QR550.
“We have done extensive five years testing for the device. Therefore, we can bet on its efficacy and credibility,” he added.
Al Hamdan said that his company in collaboration with various private and government organisations was running a road safety awareness campaign, named National Vision.
“As many as 25 ambassadors of various countries are cooperating with us in this noble cause. We are also grateful to the National Traffic Safety Committee of the Ministry of Interior for the support it always extended for running the campaign.”
Accident victims leading road safety campaign
“The road-accident victims are the front row participants in our campaign and are creating awareness by telling people their tragic accidents tales,” Al Hamdan said, adding his company had also sought support from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for taking the road safety message to schools.
Al Hamdan said Gulf English School and College of North Atlantic Qatar were cooperating with Ajyal Tek in its road safety campaign.
Several private companies, including Vodafone Qatar, Ezdan Holding Group and Qatar International Islamic Bank, have also extended support.
