SALALAH, AUGUST 26
Repeated cases of passengers leaning outside moving vehicles have been observed at several tourist areas in Dhofar during the Khareef season, raising road-safety concerns at a time when dense fog frequently reduces visibility on parts of the governorate’s road network.
The Observer observed the behaviour on several occasions during visits to tourist locations this season. While the practice should not be generalised to motorists or visitors as a whole, its recurrence is particularly concerning on roads affected by fog, drizzle and limited visibility.
In one case photographed this week, two passengers were seen leaning with their upper bodies outside a moving vehicle as it travelled through dense fog. An approaching vehicle could be seen emerging from the opposite direction through the reduced visibility.
The scene illustrates how an activity that may be intended simply to enjoy the cool weather or Khareef atmosphere can create an unnecessary safety risk for passengers.
Oman’s traffic regulations explicitly address such behaviour.
The Executive Regulations of the Traffic Law list “allowing the head and hands to be put out of vehicle windows” among offences related to the transport of passengers and loads. The offence is classified as a Category Four traffic violation.
The provision is significant because responsibility for passenger safety does not rest solely with those leaning outside the vehicle. The regulation specifically addresses allowing the behaviour, placing an obligation on those responsible for the vehicle to ensure occupants remain safely inside while it is moving.
The risks are heightened by the particular driving conditions associated with Khareef.
Fog can substantially reduce the distance at which motorists are able to see approaching vehicles, pedestrians, animals or other hazards. Drizzle, wet road surfaces and bends on mountain routes can further narrow the margin available for a driver to respond to an unexpected situation.
The behaviour observed was not confined to the incident shown in the photograph. Similar cases of passengers leaning from windows or emerging from vehicle openings were seen during field visits to more than one tourist area in Dhofar.
In some instances, the apparent intention was to experience the mist and cool weather more directly or to take photographs and videos while the vehicle was moving.
The growing seasonal movement places additional importance on responsible behaviour by both drivers and passengers, particularly around popular tourist destinations and on routes where weather conditions can change over relatively short distances.
The issue is not about restricting the enjoyment of Khareef. Dhofar’s fog, drizzle and mountain scenery are central to the experience that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Rather, the repeated observations point to a simple distinction: enjoying the weather should not require passengers to compromise the protection provided by the vehicle itself.
With roads shared by residents, visitors and families throughout the season, individual behaviour inside one vehicle can also have consequences for other road users if a driver is forced to brake suddenly or take evasive action.
The scenes witnessed this season therefore offer a timely reminder that road safety during Khareef extends beyond speed and driving technique. Passenger behaviour is part of the equation too.
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