Calls for courtesy on roads as car drenching cyclist video goes viral
Motorists should follow the traffic rules and show respect for others on roads, says ROP
MUSCAT: Calls have been made to launch a campaign of courtesy on Oman’s roads after a video showing a four-wheel drive car drenching a cyclist in a wadi went viral and resulted in the motorist’s arrest.
The video, which was tweeted yesterday by the Royal Oman Police (ROP), showed the vehicle overtaking a cyclist in the flowing wadi and completely soaking the poor cyclist in the process.
On Twitter, the ROP said, “The police would like to confirm that the driver of the vehi- cle has been arrested, and legal proceedings have been taken against him.”
“Showing regard for rules and regulations of traffic safety on the road indicates that the driver has the etiquette and knowledge for road safety, as well as respect for the law. We should cooperate to achieve road safety, and be respectful to others,” the tweet further said.
Although the car driver was arrested, many others continue to practice similar behaviour on the road every day, said campaigners and drivers, and calls have been made to curb the practice.
Hooligan style
Ahmad Al Harthy, Oman’s international circuit racer feels strongly about such behaviour.
“To be honest, it’s a hooligan style of behaviour. I look at this as the driver using his car as a weapon that could have resulted in the cyclist being injured, but luckily he was able to continue, but was completely splashed with water.”
Deeply rooted values
He also called on people to bring their hospitality and deeply rooted values on the roads, “That’s an issue, it’s unfortunate because the same person who might be driving the car, or stopping you from coming into their lane or tailgating you or pressurising into exiting from a lane, could be the same person, who once you go to his house will refuse to enter the house without you going in first, so why can’t we just show those customs and our hospitality which we are known for, on the road as well?”
Al Harthy said he would support a campaign targeting courtesy on the roads. “I would as a person, yes definitely. If it’s a matter of saving lives, who wouldn’t?”
“To be honest it’s something I am very passionate about, being a racing driver people think that we don’t obey the rules, but that’s exactly the opposite philosophy, the rules that we race with are very strict and very important in our racing environment. It’s unfortunate to say that driving your car on a public road is more dangerous and less respectful than being on the race track.”
Tailgating
“Another big problem is tailgating, leaving enough sufficient space between yourself and the driver ahead, many times it’s not about your control or your ability to drive your car, it’s usually what’s happening around you.”