Lowering speed crucial to reduce number of fatalities

He added that Oman’s traffic procedures are no different to other countries and are well researched.

“All of the ROP’s procedures in the past years based on international studies and experiences. We are constantly in contact with scientific organisations and experts, as well as studies from The Research Council, international organisations and universities in the field of traffic safety.”

International practices

According to the D.G, international practices and studies show that lowering speed is crucial in lowering the number of fatalities.

“Research shows that reducing speed is the one way to lower the number of fatalities and injuries,” he said. “For example, we all know that using the phone while driving causes accidents. An accident of this kind at low speed only causes slight damage to the vehicle but high speed accidents lead to more serious injuries and deaths. Studies show that lowering speed by 10km/h will decrease accidents by 10 per cent, injuries by 20 per cent and deaths by 30 per cent.

Speed radars

He also refuted the idea that speed radars are used to increase revenue.

“There is no truth to the idea that radars are put on the road to increase profits. The government and the ROP are not trying to make money through fines. Other countries, from neighbouring countries to the Western World, have fines that can reach 5 times the value of those here in Oman. If we wanted to increase our revenue, we would work to increase the cost of fines in the first place,” he added.