The latest report of the Royal Oman Police indicated a decline in fatalities in road accidents despite more vehicles hitting the roads in recent years. According to the report, the number of registered vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman rose by 5,823, to 1996091 in January 2023. It also indicates a decrease in traffic accidents by more than 70 per cent, injuries by 49 per cent, and deaths by 51 per cent in 2022 compared to the 2012 statistics.
The report comes as improved road safety standards in the Sultanate of Oman when the country and its GCC partners are observing the 35th Gulf Traffic Week.
The Traffic Week titled ‘Your life matters’ is being observed across the Sultanate of Oman with events highlighting traffic awareness for all segments of society.
The Gulf Traffic Week strives to raise awareness among all segments of society and road users about the significance of following to traffic rules and regulations in order to reduce the risk of accidents.
The General Directorate of Traffic organised an exhibition at the Mall of Oman to raise awareness about the dangers of traffic accidents and their causes with the participation of various organisations such as the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, the Oman Automobile Association, and the Petroleum Development of Oman.
In addition to traffic services, the exhibits show the country's efforts to prevent accidents. The exhibition focuses on the Traffic Safety Institutes' efforts to improve road safety, spread traffic culture, and qualify road users, driving instructors, and applicants.
"Traffic weeks are a good opportunity for those concerned bodies with traffic in the Gulf Cooperation Council to unify the traffic awareness message that is directed to the community, through a unified slogan that aims to develop traffic awareness in society," said Brigadier General Engineer Ali al Falahi, Director General of Traffic. This year's tagline (your life matters) emphasises the significance of self-preservation through suitable measures that contribute to the safety of all road users.
Al Falahi emphasised that the results are encouraging, since there has been a decrease in the number of recorded accidents, injuries, and deaths, despite an increase in the number of vehicles and drivers in recent years.
Traffic expos were inaugurated in Al Dhahirah Governorate by Traffic Department, Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Department, Traffic Safety Institute, Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and a number of other bodies are participating in the three-day expo.
As part of the Gulf Traffic Week events, the Al Batinah Governorate North Police Command established traffic awareness centres in Sohar, where awareness booklets and brochures were provided to vehicle drivers.
The Vocational College in Saham and the Saif bin Hubaira School for Basic Education in Sohar also held awareness lectures with the goal of fostering traffic culture and explaining the fundamentals, norms, and standards of traffic safety.
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