Car rental firm to support country-wide safety drive

Dubai, UAE, 25 September, 2011: Hertz UAE has joined forces with non-profit safety organization Buckle-up in the Back to promote the use of child safety seats and seat belts across the UAE.

Buckle Up in the Back is a UAE-based initiative dedicated to educating children and adults about the importance of child restraints in vehicles. The group's ultimate goal is to change UAE laws to make it mandatory for all passengers to wear a seat belt in the front and rear of vehicles, and to seat children in approved child seats while on the road.

Starting  next month, Hertz UAE will display colourful Buckle Up in the Back pamphlets and brochures in each of its 15 locations across the UAE and work with group founder, Lesley Cully to communicate the 'Buckle Up' message.

Cully began the initiative last year after noticing a large number of children travelling unstrapped in vehicles on UAE roads, often considered some of the most dangerous in the world. She now regularly visits schools to spread the safety message and runs a 2,300 fan Facebook page to further raise awareness of the Buckle Up message.

Nigel Johnson, General Manager, Hertz UAE said: "The Buckle Up in the Back campaign reflects Hertz's preventative approach to road safety and we're thrilled about the opportunity to help spread the message of keeping children safe and secure."

Hertz UAE rents child safety seats for parents travelling with children, and carries out extensive  40 point safety checks on all rental and fleet booked vehicles. This ensures higher safety standards are maintained, for example checking wear on brake pads and tires at rigorously scheduled increments throughout the life of each rental vehicle.

To learn more about the Buckle Up initiative visit www.buckleupintheback.com or join the growing Facebook page at www.facebook.com/buckleupintheback 

Part of the Al-Futtaim Group, Hertz UAE has expanded its network to 15 locations across the Emirates by opening an exclusive service desk at Abu Dhabi International Airport, a new branch at Etihad Plaza and a branch in Al Ain. 

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About Hertz 
Hertz, the world's largest general use car rental brand, has a strong presence in the Middle East and Africa region, with 11 Hertz franchisees in the Middle East and 23 in Africa, and a total of 66 locations  in the Middle East and 161 outlets in Africa, offering a wide range of car rental and leasing services.

Hertz locations across the region offer customers the most modern fleet of vehicles in the market and guarantee quality, safety and reliability. All cars are fully insured and undergo a 40-point quality check-up prior to rentals and there are round-the-clock support services available to all customers. 

For more information about Hertz in the Middle East and Africa region, call Gina Costa, Commercial Director, Hertz Middle East and Africa on +9714 206 0266. 

For more information, please contact:
Lindsay Johnston /Annie Meikle
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 50 273 3832
Fax: + 971 4 336 9905
Email: lindsay@totalcompr.ae / annie@totalcompr.ae 

© Press Release 2011