Safer roads begin with responsible drivers

As Oman becomes a regional logistics hub, driver responsibility must keep pace.
The topic of fatal accidents is not being discussed on this platform for the first time or out of the blue. However, it still feels as though not enough is being done to instil a genuine sense of urgency or seriousness among the public.
The ongoing regional crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has transformed the Sultanate of Oman into a critical transit and land logistics hub.
Heavy goods are now continuously dispatched from the ports of Al Duqm, Muscat, and Suhar to neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Consequently, heavy-duty trailer trucks crisscross the main expressways and highways daily — often driven by operators who may be unfamiliar with the local topography and traffic regulations.
Last weekend, a horrific tragedy occurred when six women from the same family lost their lives after their bus was caught in a massive pileup involving around 15 vehicles. This incident highlights a grim reality.
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), 43 per cent of road accidents in Oman in 2025 resulted from vehicle collisions, 23 per cent from vehicle overturns, and 16 per cent from collisions with fixed objects, while 21 per cent involved pedestrians.
Furthermore, during Khareef Dhofar 2026, numerous accidents occurred on the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road, largely driven by the fact that 75.1 per cent of visitors to Dhofar preferred travelling by land rather than air 24.9 per cent.
Time and again, excessive speed is identified as the primary catalyst for road mishaps, followed by reckless behaviour and negligence. Muscat Governorate accounted for 17.5 per cent of accidents and Dhofar for 15.3 per cent with overall road traffic incidents resulting in 595 fatalities and 1,597 injuries.
Ironically, Oman’s road network receives high praise from first-time visitors, who often rate it on par with advanced economies.
According to the World Economic Forum data published by the World Population Review for 2024, Oman ranks eighth globally and second in the Arab World on the Road Quality Index. This standard is echoed in international travel advisories, which note that roads in Oman are excellent, though caution is required during rainfall due to flash flooding.
Yet, flawless asphalt cannot compensate for human error. Mobile phone use while driving remains a pervasive threat; safety experts point out that drivers using phones — even hands-free — spend roughly 10 per cent of their driving time drifting outside their designated lanes, endangering passengers, fellow motorists, and pedestrians alike.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has actively embraced technology, deploying AI-powered cameras across major junctions to catch violators alongside enforcing strict fines. However, enforcement alone is not enough. The national conversation around road safety must shift from a fear of penalties to a genuine culture of shared responsibility. Every driver must recognise that the privilege of holding a licence carries a fundamental duty to society.
Development inevitably brings side effects. Oman’s emergence as a major regional freight hub may eventually necessitate multi-million-riyal investments in dedicated truck corridors. While social media was quick to place the blame entirely on heavy vehicles for the Samayil tragedy, that is only one piece of the puzzle.
The true responsibility lies with driver behaviour, alertness, and choices behind the wheel. Superior infrastructure requires equal commitment to safety from every individual who uses it.