Teen invents new safety device linking seatbelt with motor

UAE TRAFFIC: Teenager hopes his new invention will reduce the number of fatal traffic accidents in the country. (Getty Images)

An Emirati teenager has invented a device that prevents drivers from starting their car engine unless their seatbelt is fastened.

Khalid al Shammari, 18, has been hailed by Abu Dhabi police for his invention which he hopes will reduce the number of deaths in traffic accidents across the UAE.

“If you ask any Emirati why he does not wear the seat belt, he’ll tell you so his khandoura (the traditional white gown) does not get wrinkled,” he told the National.

“I started thinking, I’m not a genius when it comes to my school studies, so why not come up with something useful for humanity?”

Shammari created a circuit which links the seatbelt to the motor, battery and gear stick. When the seatbelt is unfastened the circuit is broken and the motor will not start nor the gear stick move.

“The next step I aim for, is to apply this system to a full-body car, so I can add an alert message if the motorist unbuckles his seat belt, warning him that the engine will stop in two minutes, for example,” he told the paper.

Abu Dhabi Police recognised his efforts by presenting him with a certificate and a cash prize of AED5,000 ($1,360).

What do you think about this invention? Post your comments below.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Best of Luck
Posted by Asad Hafiz, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Thursday 17 September 2009 at 16:17 UAE time


Even if this has been invented before, I sincerely commend this teenager who has taken time and effort to do something about a serious problem that exists. It may be so that this may not be the most ideal solution, but this has got many people including the authorities talking about it.

I wish him all the very best for the future, never let imagination and inventions be bogged down by detractors.

Be more generous!
Posted by Peter, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 17 September 2009 at 13:41 UAE time


Come now people - he's a teenager and he has shown courage, innovation and determination to get his product built. It may not be totally original, but it is morethan many of us have done, and more than most as a teenager. Let us just congratulate him for finding an interesting solution to a problem other people have also solved

Invented ???? Ha ha ha - this is stale news
Posted by Chris Mathews, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 17 September 2009 at 11:33 UAE time


This idea is anything but an invention. This has been discussed in detail and rejected in the US and Canada in the previous century.

Come one now guys - do a little googling and you will see where this "brilliant invention" came about. ha ha ha. Invention by an emirati student indeed.

this idea is not new
Posted by YousefA, Dubai on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 18:59 UAE time


You know that saying that goes something like "If you have a good idea, chances are someone else has already thought of it".

Well thats because more often than not true. This idea has already been patented in the US under several variations:

1. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/4107645/claims.html
2. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3886516.html
3. Heres one from Mitsubishi: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3902074.html
4. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6285937.html
5. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4785906.html

Number 4 and 5 are the system in its simplest form while the others contain much more detail.

Before he decides to sell his system on the market and have it produced in any form he should check to see whether someone else has already come up with this idea. Unless he enjoys having lawyers sending him cease and desist notices.

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