MUSCAT -- The Royal Oman Police (ROP) yesterday asked students and drivers to abide by the traffic rules to avoid accidents as the schools are re-opening today. The ROP Directorate-General issued a statement to create traffic awareness among the students, which was aimed at achieving safety by carefully getting into vehicles and coming out from them and crossing the road. Bus drivers ferrying students were also called upon to abide by traffic rules.
With simultaneous presence of numerous children and vehicles at the place and time during rush hours, some traffic blocks are bound to arise. To ensure safety, the ROP has asked certain precautions to be taken in school buses apart from those required in public buses. Students are called upon to organise themselves when getting into or disembarking from the bus and not to lean outside the bus or disturb the driver.
The vehicle registration department at the Directorate-General of traffic inspects school buses to ensure adherence to traffic security and safety requirements. There is remarkable co-operation between the ROP and the Ministry of Education in disseminating traffic awareness among students as well as highlighting the psychological, social and economic effects of traffic accidents. The ROP visits schools to create awareness on traffic rules and regulations.
Schools also have a role to play in educating the youngsters about respecting traffic rules and regulation.
Parents are the first educators. When taking their children to school, they should start with ample time on hand to avert over-speeding or causing traffic jams. They should also be careful when dropping their children by the roadside.
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
