Muscat: The death of a student on the very first day of the new academic year sounded an alarm bell for traffic safety for school-going children in the Sultanate of Oman.
It was a painful incident not only for the members of Umm Waraqah School in South Maabela but also for all those who heard about the tragic incident in which a student was run over on Sunday.
It is necessary to harness all efforts to spread traffic awareness among road users to ensure the safety of school students.
It is very equally necessary to take necessary measures before the beginning of the school year, including procedures to ensure the availability of special requirements for buses and the availability of all means of security and safety in accordance with the specific controls in coordination with the Ministry of Education and in line with the Traffic Law and its executive regulations.
Dr Ali bin Humaid al Jahwari,Director-General of the Directorate General of Education at the Ministry of Education for Muscat Governorate, said, "The initial indications of the run-over incident indicate a clear neglect of the bus driver and the carelessness of the car driver." He also mentioned that circulars are issued to school principals to meet with drivers to educate them and stress the need to adhere to security and safety instructions for students. The Ministry is strict with regard to bus traffic safety rules.
The Assistant Director-General of Traffic, Colonel Khamis bin Ali al Batashi said: "All drivers of public and private school buses must abide by traffic advice and instructions, such as adherence to regulations and rules, be careful when approaching student gathering places and not move until and after making sure that all students went up or down and crossed the street to their homes or schools, as well as making sure that there are means of transportation.
Safety on the bus and maintaining public order by stopping buses in their designated places, whether in front of schools or after work is finished.
He also added that it is important to have a supervisor on buses carrying children and the need for the bus driver to inspect all students after they get off at school and make sure that they leave the bus so that the direction of the students' exit door faces their homes or places of study.
All these steps are necessary to avoid blocking the road in front or behind the bus. Family plays a major role in this aspect by following up about children and ensuring they reach their homes.
The Royal Oman Police ensures school students' traffic safety to reduce traffic congestion caused by buses.
The Royal Oman Police published, on its account on Twitter, some instructions that the bus drivers must stand by for the safety of students.
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