Collisions between vehicles and crashing against fixed objects are seen as the major cause of accidents in the Sultanate of Oman, according to the National Centre of Statistics and Information (NCSI).
While one of the toughest traffic laws in the region has been place in the Sultanate of Oman, which includes losing a driver’s licence if a person accumulates more than 12 black points in a year, there were 76,200 traffic accidents in 2022, including 15,300 and 60,900 minor accidents.
According to experts, overspeeding is the primary cause of traffic accidents and its severe human and material damage.
Studies have found that reducing the speed by 10 km/h reduces the probability of accidents by 20 per cent, the number of injuries by 30 per cent, and deaths by 40 per cent.
As per the Traffic Law of 2018, driving a vehicle without holding the steering wheel, or not sitting properly can lead to a fine of RO35 and two black points.
Penalties worth highlighting are not stopping at a checkpoint (RO50, three black points), Drifting (RO50, three black points), covering the number plate (RO50, three black points), not stopping for a police officer (RO35, one black point), stopping the vehicle on the side of the road in a position that endangers its users (RO35, 1 black point), using mobile phones or other electronic devices while driving – RO15, two black points.
Penalties for commonly detected offenses are not adhering to the correct path at the traffic lights RO15, 1 black point, abandoning a vehicle on either side of the road – RO15, distraction with non-driving activities (e.g. reading, tampering with vehicle equipment) – RO10.
Exceeding the maximum speeds can lead to fines between RO50 and RO10 and up to three black points.
Driving on the yellow line continuously, with the intent to overtake another vehicle can lead to a fine of RO10 and 1 black point.
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