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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Drifting rings continue to pose threat to public

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MUSCAT, Sept 4 - Despite continuous cautions and alerts, reckless drivers still find drifting a hobby endangering their own lives and safety of others.


Two days back, on the second day of Eid, a national was killed in the Wilaiyat of Shinas during a drafting show in public ring. The video showing the accident went viral on social media, prompting calls for an end to such an irresponsible behaviour.


Days before Eid holiday, several people raised the drifting ring issue on social media calling the concerned authorities to strictly ban such gatherings. Some felt it is not right even to call it a sport, but only negative behaviour that can harm the community anytime anywhere.


If not able to ban drifting rings, traffic experts have called the concerned authorities to ensure proper safety measures especially as such event takes place in public holidays and might threaten the lives of many among the audience.


Exercise caution and follow traffic rules when taking to the road with families, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has told all motorists.


ROP has ensured the safety of road users during Eid holidays by intensifying patrols, supervising roads and providing timely assistance. They have called on motorists to adhere to the speed limit and avoid racing on the roads. They have also urged them not to use mobile phones while on the road.


Last February, Aya al Hilaliya, a student of SQU, was killed in a run-over accident after her abaya got entangled with the door of her college bus. Confirming the incident, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) offered its condolences to the student’s family. Meanwhile, Mwasalat, the college bus operator, said they are investigating the matter and offered condolences to the bereaved family. According to sources, the girl made several futile attempts to alert the driver by knocking the door of the bus.


Recently, several clips showing vehicles drifting in different places went viral on social media. Consequently, ROP took serious actions against the violators after arresting them via tracking the vehicles plate numbers appeared in the video clips. The videos sparked anger among public as many called for taking heftier legal actions against the drifting vehicles drivers.


ROP has been continuously urging motorists to abide by the traffic laws and avoid falling under legally questioning because of such reckless behaviours on roads. Such negative behaviours led to sad ends in different occasions.


The Sultanate saw a 16.5 per cent drop in accident rate until the end of July 2017 as against the same period in 2016, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).


The number of accidents declined to 2,349 compared with 2,814 in the same period last year. There were 360 accidents as against 385 last year.


The total number of deaths from accidents until July 2017 dropped 5.8 per cent to 374 as against 397 in the same period last year. Among the dead were 244 Omanis (193 males, 51 females) against 246 last year.


The number of expatriates who died in accidents was 130 against 151 last year, a 13.9 per cent decline. Of these, 112 were males and 18 females.


Fahad Al Ghadani


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