29 August 2012
Muscat: Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE), in coordination with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has confirmed the dates for Traffic Safety Expo 2012 as taking place from 16th -18th October, 2012 from 10:00 am-1:00pm and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

During the year 2011, Oman witnessed a total of 7719 accidents as reported by the ROP, with 5494 accidents out of that 7719 coming under the category of injurious accidents. The Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that 70% of emergency situations were related to road accidents and most of the victims came from the youth category. With the rate of accidents increasing with every passing year, different initiatives have been taken up by the public and private sector with more efforts being directed towards encouraging public participation for the same.

What the country really needs to contribute to safer and accident-free roads is an enhanced safety enforcement programme coupled with enhanced attitudes towards road safety. An enhanced safety enforcement programme would encompass high visibility policing, setting speed limits and strict penalties for violation, enacting laws on child safety seats, seatbelts and use of helmets, stricter driver testing standards, re-training and education of driving instructors, strict penalties and zero tolerance for the use of mobile phones and drunken driving and other distracting habits, road safety education covering different sections of society, safety audits for new road designs, increased effectiveness of photo enhancement programs and frequent vehicle inspection to name a few.

"Everything needs a fine balance. For Yin you have Yan, for tit you have tat, for an enhanced safety enforcement programme, you need enhanced attitudes towards road safety. Setting up an enhanced system dedicated to making the safety of Oman's roads a number one priority would ultimately have no significance if the citizens of the country are not driven towards following the rules set in place. Enforcement is not restricted to police officials, the common man has the bigger role to play" says Mr. Alawi Almurazza, a representative from Traffic Safety Expo 2012, OITE.

The Traffic Safety Expo 2012 now in its 3rd edition will throw the spotlight on the latest technologies, products and solutions catering to road safety as well as encourage the setting up of an enhanced safety enforcement programme along with enhanced public participation.

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For more information on Traffic Safety Expo 2012, kindly contact
Mr. Alawi Almurazza
Traffic Safety Expo 2012
OITE at 00968 99886681/ alawi@oite.com

© Press Release 2012