Certain individuals may be exempt from wearing seat belts

In Uzbekistan, some individuals may be permitted not to wear seat belts due to medical reasons. The Ministry of Health announced this in a draft list of diseases and conditions that allow exemption from wearing a seat belt, which has been released for public discussion.

According to the draft, a total of 17 medical conditions and situations may qualify for seat belt exemption, including:

•  Fractures of the spine or sternum
•  Clavicle fractures
•  Rib fractures
•  Compression fractures of the vertebrae
•  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (stage IV)
•  Bronchial asthma (stage IV)
•  Interstitial lung damage
•  Partial or total removal of a lung (left or right)
•  Stage III or decompensated chronic heart failure
•  Morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40)
•  Short stature (dwarfism) – under 150 cm
•  Neurological disorders limiting arm or shoulder movement
•  Severe allergic or dermatological conditions affecting the chest area (eczema, psoriasis)
•  Prosthetics or implants in the chest or shoulder area
•  Open surgeries of the chest or abdominal cavity
•  Presence of stomas (artificial openings)
•  Large tumors in the chest area
•  Pregnant women

The document has not yet entered into force. QR-coded electronic medical certificates confirming these conditions will be issued through the “Electronic Health” information system by the citizen’s assigned primary healthcare institution.

The validity period of the medical certificate is six months.