The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) said it recorded 161,242 accidents with their survey showing that the main causes were using mobile phones or not concentrating while driving.

It has appealed to drivers to comply with safety instructions and regulations, and in particular, to avoid using mobile phones while driving and to wear seatbelts.

The organization has revealed that airbag protection reduced the death rate in accidents by 12%, while seatbelt protection rates ranged from 40% to 60%.

The organization said that relying on airbag protection during accidents is not always the right decision, given that they are capable of protecting passengers if an accident occurs at the front or back of the vehicle. But accidents where a car is hit from the side, a seatbelt will offer the best protection.

SASO said that it has made some safety systems compulsory in vehicles as of 2018 models. These include airbags for driver and front seat passengers, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), brake override system (BOS), electronic stability control (ESC), and tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), among others.

SASO has introduced, updated and approved several Saudi standards and specifications related to vehicles.

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