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Decline in road accidents,
deaths, injuries
By Rashid al Abri and Hamoud al
Zeidi
MUSCAT —The Royal Oman Police (ROP) statistical bulletin of January 2010
shows a general decline in road accidents and related deaths and injuries.
The figures of January 2010 statistics show that, compared to January 2009,
the number of road accidents declined by 47, while related deaths and
injuries dropped by 45 and 74, respectively. In January 2009, 102 people
died and 820 injured in 616 road accidents. In January this year, 57 people
died and 746 injured in 569 road accidents.
The ideal driver
In a general observation, the ROP pointed out that road accidents happen due
to human errors due to improper use of vehicles, a motorist’s failure to
keep his/her vehicle’s parts in good condition (maintenance) or his/her lack
of adherence to traffic regulations and road safety norms. An ideal driver,
says the ROP is one who respects the rights of other road users, motorists
as well as pedestrians, and one who is alert to all surprises of the road,
like environmental (or weather) conditions, other drivers’ mistakes, and
most importantly he/she is a driver who keeps his own vehicle in good
condition.
Vehicle maintenance is a key factor in road safety, says the ROP. A
significant cause of road accidents is the bursting of tyres. An ideal
driver makes sure that his wheel’s pressure is neither too high nor too low.
The use of second-hand tyres or re-coated tyres or tyres stored for a long
time, repeated sharp braking, driving on tough grounds like stone-bedecked
surfaces and overloading of the vehicle are also among common causes of
bursting.
Recklessness is the main cause of drowning
As many as 123 cases of drowning happened in 2009. These included 71
people getting drowned in the sea, 37 in wadis, 10 while maintaining water
wells, 3 in ponds, one in a falaj and one in a swimming pool. It has been
noticed that children are the segment of society that is most prone to
drowning. Some people go picnicking on the beach. They leave their children
unattended and they get engaged in sports or feasting with friends. Children
who have little experience of the tide or swimming become the victims of
their parents’ recklessness.
Attention should also be given to weather forecasts. Fishermen and other
seafarers find themselves in difficult situations while in the sea because
of lack of follow-up of weather forecasts. All seafarers should check the
weather report and carry flares and night lights to help coast guards help
them when in trouble. Never brave a flowing wadi, says a Royal Oman Police
advisory. If you are driving, check the road sign, which is a short pole
with red and white bands. If the surface of water in the wadi touches the
red band, stop your car away from the course of the wadi until the flood
subsides.
Misuse of cell phone is punishable by law
It has been noticed some people misuse their mobile telephones and this
is punishable by law. Wrong use of mobile telephones includes disturbance to
the public and the violation of public norms like the sending of vulgar
messages/pictures. The ROP is doing its best to track people involved in
such misconducts. The offenders will be summoned to the police station and
transferred to Public Prosecution Department which will draft the offence as
a criminal behaviour.
Tip: Always fasten the belt
It takes less than 5 seconds. Don’t just hang the belt on the side of
the seat to cheat a passing police patrol...You would be comprising your
own safety and the safety of others. |
