Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has started expanding the use of smart systems to monitor traffic violations, especially mobile phone use while driving, which is done by activating advanced camera systems that rely on artificial intelligence to analyze images and accurately determine the type of violation without any human intervention.

These systems also enable the monitoring of traffic and the identification of congested areas and vehicles required for security purposes.

"As part of its development, modernization, and search for the best and latest technologies, the traffic department has been testing some traffic monitoring devices to determine which ones are most suitable for achieving greater road safety," ROP said.

After extensive testing on the roads of the Sultanate of Oman, these technologies were adopted, expressing his hope that they would contribute effectively to reducing violations and accidents.

On the Gulf Traffic Week, Brigadier Engineer Ali bin Salim al Falahi, Director General of Traffic at the Royal Oman Police, said that this year's slogan, 'Driving Without a Phone,' is appropriate because the use of a phone while driving has become a leading cause of accidents.

As per the traffic law, using mobile phones or other electronic devices while driving can cost RO15 as a fine and two black points. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) recently confirmed that smart radars to detect violations are in use on a trial basis.

He said that using a mobile phone while driving is one of the behaviors that most negatively impacts traffic safety, as it distracts the driver and reduces concentration, which increases the likelihood of accidents.

He called on drivers, especially young people, to adhere to traffic rules and etiquette and to completely stop using their phones while driving, so that everyone can be an active partner in achieving safer roads for all.

According to WHO, the use of a mobile phone can impair performance on many driving tasks, leading to longer reaction times to detect and respond to unexpected driving-related events; impaired ability to maintain correct lane position; slower braking reactions with more intensive braking and shorter stopping distances; impaired ability to maintain an appropriate speed (i.e. usually driving slower); slower reactions to traffic signals/missed signals; reduced field of view (i.e. drivers more likely to look straight ahead and not at periphery or in mirrors); shorter following distances; accepting gaps in traffic streams that do not give sufficient time for the driver to safely manoeuvre the vehicle into the traffic flow; increased mental workload, resulting in higher levels of stress and frustration; • reduced driver-awareness of what is happening around them.

The danger of distraction impacting a driver’s performance depends on many factors that include the complexity of the distracting task, its duration, its frequency, and the situation on the road.

The complexity of the distracting task and its cognitive demands in particular seem to be important factors in determining the extent to which it affects driving behaviour.

For example, while typing a text message or dialling a phone number into a hand-held phone leads to visual distraction at the time that the task is being conducted, there is strong evidence to suggest that the cognitive distraction caused by engaging in a phone conversation is the main cause of a deterioration of driving behaviour.