JEDDAH: Drivers usually consider themselves safe on roads as long as they are following regulations concerning their style of driving, speed limits and laws regarding turns and red lights.
Truth be told they are not safe as long as they do not follow one simple rule i.e. wearing safety belts. According to experts, wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent death and serious injury in a crash.
Malak Khayat, the Saudi founder of Belt.on, came up with an interesting idea to promote the use of seat belts and raise awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts while driving.
It offers customized leather belt cases that can be placed on seat belts.
Khayat also came up with a catchy slogan “Buckle up, someone loves you!” to prod people to think for their loved ones before putting their lives in harm’s way.
“It is a safe and trendy accessory that would hopefully encourage passengers to keep on their seatbelts,” Khayat told Arab News.
The idea came to her mind a year ago, when she witnessed a terrible road accident, in which the front seat passenger ejected through the car’s windscreen.
“It cost him his life. What if the passenger was buckled? His chances of survival would have increased, and it could even have saved his life.
“We hear such sad stories and witness heartbreaking road accidents. Law enforces the use of seat belts and a lot of awareness programs around the world emphasize the importance of wearing them. I wanted to promote their use, but in a trendy way, so that is how Belt.on started.”
At a presentation to the 2019 Traffic Safety Conference held in Riyadh in March, the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) revealed the number of deaths in the Kingdom had dropped from over 7,000 in 2017 to 6,025 in 2018, with traffic-related injuries down almost 10 percent to around 30,000.
The MoI has set a target to reduce road-related fatalities to eight per 100,000 as part of the government’s Vision 2030 program. Wearing seat belts is essential to hitting that target.
Belt.on’s embroidery can be made to almost any specification, with messages sewn in any language — recently the company even had an order for one in Armenian. They can also add logos or specific shapes, and there is almost no limit to the colors on offer.
“Safety is my No.1 concern, therefore, I aim to keep my customers safe yet trendy. Belt.on aims to raise awareness on safety as it encourages people to put on their seat belts in a cool way,” Khayat said.
Customers can place their orders via WhatsApp, or contact and keep up to date with Belt.On through Instagram (@belt.on).
Startup of the Week: Ensuring people’s safety on the road in a trendy way
Startup of the Week: Ensuring people’s safety on the road in a trendy way
- The MoI has set a target to reduce road-related fatalities to eight per 100,000 as part of the government’s Vision 2030 program
Cumin has health benefits but always seek medical consultation first, says SFDA
- Herbs, like any substance with therapeutic effects, should be used with caution, the authority said
- Medical consultation is particularly recommended for those with blood clotting disorders or diabetes
RIYADH: Cumin offers notable health benefits and nutritional value, including aiding digestion and relieving gas, but it should not be used without seeking medical consultation, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) said on Thursday.
Cumin, particularly the Cuminum cyminum species, is an aromatic spice used as a seasoning in food and extracted for its oil for perfumes, and is also a popular remedy in traditional medicine.
But the SFDA emphasized that herbs, like any substance with therapeutic effects, should be used with caution.
"Medical consultation is essential, as certain herbs may interact with medications or affect nutrient absorption," the authority said in an advisory carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
The SFDA recommended adhering to the recommended daily intake of 1.5 to 3 grams of cumin, noting that one teaspoon is equivalent to 5 grams.
Cumin may interact with blood thinners and diabetes medications, potentially mimicking their effects and leading to complications, it said.
Medical consultation is particularly recommended for individuals with blood clotting disorders or diabetes, as well as pregnant and lactating women, the SFDA said.
It warned that cumin may induce uterine contractions, increasing the risk of premature birth, and could also affect hormonal balance during pregnancy.
Cumin may also cause acid reflux or diarrhea and could influence milk production in breastfeeding mothers, potentially leading to colic or diarrhea in infants, the advisory warned.
It further recommended discontinuing cumin consumption at least two weeks before any surgical procedure, as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Saudi Arabia condemns attacks by ‘outlaw groups’ in Syria
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned the targeting of security forces and crimes by “outlaw groups” in Syria, a foreign ministry said early Friday.
“The Kingdom affirms its support for the Syrian government in its efforts to maintain security and stability and preserve civil peace,” the statement concluded.
Syrian forces were clashing with gunmen loyal to an Assad-era special forces commander in Latakia on Thursday, the province’s security director said, after authorities reportedly launched helicopter strikes.
The fighting killed 48 people on Thursday, a war monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes in the coastal town of Jableh and adjacent villages were “the most violent attacks against the new authorities since Assad was toppled” in December.
Pro-Assad fighters killed 16 security personnel while 28 fighters “loyal” to ousted President Bashar Assad and four civilians were also killed, it said.
The fighting struck in the Mediterranean coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of the ousted president’s Alawite minority who were considered bastions of support during his rule.
Saudi FM participates in GCC-Jordan ministerial meeting
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated on Thursday in the seventh GCC-Jordan joint ministerial meeting of foreign ministers in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The meeting discussed regional issues including the Palestinian cause and the efforts made to achieve regional security and stability.
It also tackled ways of boosting GCC-Jordanian relations and supporting partnerships.
The meeting was headed by Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya.
Saudi-Moroccan foreign ministers co-chair 14th session of joint committee in Makkah
MAKKAH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita co-chaired in Makkah the 14th session of the Saudi-Moroccan Joint Committee.
The event was attended by senior officials from ministries, government agencies and private-sector institutions from both sides.
The convening of the meeting reaffirms the strong ties between the two countries and aims to boost cooperation in all areas of common interest.
Both sides appreciated the efforts of the entities involved in the committee’s work to meet the aspirations of both leaderships. They also emphasized their commitment to strengthening cooperation across various fields to further elevate their strong relations.
Crackdown on environmental offenders in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Special Forces for Environmental Security in Saudi Arabia took action in three separate incidents of environmental law infringement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The forces apprehended two citizens for environmental offences after they cut protective fencing and entered the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve without proper permits. The authorities have implemented statutory procedures against the offenders and referred them to the authorities.
In a separate incident, authorities arrested a Sudanese resident for environmental offences in the Makkah region, where he was caught burning waste illegally, causing soil pollution and environmental damage. Legal measures were taken against him before referring his case to the authorities.
Authorities also intercepted a Saudi citizen transporting one cubic meter of locally harvested firewood in the Riyadh region. Standard legal procedures were applied, and the confiscated materials were handed over to the relevant authorities.
According to official statements, penalties for cutting or damaging fences in protected areas can reach SR100,000 ($26,665), with offenders required to repair damages and pay compensation.
