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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

48.3 per cent drop in road accidents

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MUSCAT, DEC 25 - Road accidents in Oman continue to decline with a massive fall of 48.3 per cent till November this year, leading to less number of casualties. The total number of accidents stood at 520 in the three months period from September to November. At the same time, there were 3,845 accidents during the period from November 2017 till last month. According to figures released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), deaths and injuries fell remarkably during the period to 39.3 and 12.5 per cent, respectively.


“In most cases of the accidents, drowsy driving and speeding continue to be the main reasons,” said an official at the Royal Oman Police.


The NCSI data indicates that 34 lives — both Omanis and expatriates — were lost in November against 52 in October and 44 in September.


There has been a fall of 12.5 per cent in the number of people injured during the period.


“Although speed limits have reduced the number of accidents in the recent past, drowsy driving continues to be a major concern,” the ROP official said.


If the driver feels sleepy, he should stop the vehicle at a convenient place and rest for a while.


“Engaging in some activities like opening vehicle window, speaking to a co-passenger, changing the posture, or stopping the car and walking a few paces will also help the driver stay awake,” he said.


Motorists have to be aware of the casualties involved in bad driving, he advised.


According to a recent tweet by the ROP, closing the eyes for three seconds while driving is almost equivalent to passing an 80-metre distance without seeing anything.


“If you’re tired, stop. If you have a companion with you in the vehicle, ensure they stay awake while you are driving,” it said.


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