The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has urged motorists to adhere to the speed limit and wear seat belts when driving in mountainous areas. CDAA had earlier warned that people should be careful when travelling on dangerous roads and in adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety of themselves as well as others.
The new statement by CDAA came in the wake of an accident that killed three people on Al Jabal Al Akhdhar mountains on Friday evening.
It was reported that the Rescue and Ambulance teams from the CDAA in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate responded to a vehicle rollover accident in the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, resulting in the deaths of three people.
Speaking to the Observer, a CDAA official said that a car crashed into a mountainside while coming back from Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, resulting in the deaths of three people and multiple injuries.
The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to navigate a steep turn. The authority stated that the brakes failed to respond in time, causing the car to crash into the mountain.
"Apparently, from what we could gather from the preliminary assessment, the driver did not realise he was approaching a sharp, steep turn, which caused him to lose control. However, an investigation has been launched to identify the cause of the accident," the official said.
"Take precautions before and during driving through difficult terrains and in adverse weather conditions by being alert about the vehicle conditions as well as the terrain to safeguard yourself, the passengers, and the people in other vehicles," the statement further said.
Official data suggests that the number of road accidents has reduced, with as many as 586 people losing their lives and 1,936 injured in Oman road crashes in 2024. However, it was noted that the number of road accidents in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar has increased in recent years due to the steep terrain and winding roads, caused by reasons such as reckless driving, lack of vehicle fitness, among others.
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