ROP efforts bring down road accidents in Oman by 72%

MUSCAT: “Traffic Safety Day,” which is observed on October 18, represents a national vision for road safety for road users, reflecting the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Commander-in-Chief and DirectorGeneral of Traffic for Royal Oman Police, said.

Brigadier General Engineer Mohammed bin Awad Al Rawas, said the Sultanate celebrates Traffic Safety Day and is reaping the rewards for a road safety master plan.

Al Rawas further stated that traffic statistics indicated a decrease in the traffic accidents by 72 per cent, deaths by 50 per cent, injuries by 24 per cent, compared with 2012. Meanwhile, ROP has opened 33 management and ser- vice centres. Traffic departments and service centres completed 2,679,013 procedures last year, under which 1,425,581 licences were issued and renewed and 762,045 vehicles were inspected.

He added that the Traffic Safety Day is an opportunity to converge efforts and exchange views and ideas and promote the positive and bright models and development initiatives to serve traffic in various fields. It also enhances the role of society and young people, especially identifying innovations, programmes, websites, individual and community initiatives, and publications that establish a sound traffic culture and highlight the value of safety.

The e-application of the ROP contributed to the renewal of more than 47,000 vehicles electronically until the end of August 2017. The traffic awareness campaign drew participation in more than 80,000 events and activities since its inauguration.