Buying a bike for your child? Then you should consider the Royal Oman Police (ROP) warning before doing so.
The ROP has called on parents to avoid risking their children by allowing them to ride motorcycles. Such a risky decision might turn into sad ending as many accidents have been reported in the past.
On Sunday, the ROP announced in a statement 38 motorcycles have been seized in Nizwa. A campaign was carried out by Al Dakhiliyah Governorate police in Nizwa to put an end on unlicensed motorcycles.
Motorcycles with engine capacity under 70cc were banned in Oman some years ago. The regulation came out as the number of accidents involving motorcycles was increasing. Some accidents also resulted in deaths.
The ROP traffic department recently urged parents not to allow their children to ride unlicensed motorcycles as they pose serious risk to their safety as well as other road users. It said the use of unlicensed bikes was illegal and vehicles once seized would not be returned to the owner.
The Traffic Law defines a motorcycle as a two-wheeler, three-wheeler or four-wheeler operated by an internal combustion engine, which is not licensed by competent authorities as they do not meet safety requirements.
Motorcycles below 70cc do not meet the safety guidelines stipulated in the Traffic Law. Penalties include seizure of the vehicle in the event of a first-time offence.
If the offence is repeated, the case will be referred to the court under Article 49 of the Traffic Law, which will include a fine not exceeding RO 500.
Article 15 (b) also prohibits riding bicycles with a capacity of less than 70cc or the import of this type of bicycle and three-wheelers (meant for transport of passengers) without the permission of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the ROP.
The traffic department said some teenagers and youngsters use these vehicles dangerously on the streets, beaches and populated areas and harass other users. It is also found the motorbike users are vulnerable to head injuries or severe injuries, disability or death as they do not to use protective helmets.
The ROP said the trend of using unlicensed vehicles is due to lack of awareness and also because children do not know how to use their free time.
The police have been holding campaigns to encourage young people to abide by the law and make them aware of the dangers of riding unlicensed bikes.
In 2013, more than 300 bicycle and motorcycle accidents were registered according to the ROP. From 2004 to 2013, the bicycle and motorcycle accidents left 177 riders dead and 2,684 injured in 2,609 accidents. In 2013, 15 people were killed in Muscat in motorbike accidents.
The Batinah Governorate registered 81 motorbike and bicycle accidents which left 12 dead.
The ROP has issued several statements in the past calling motorcyclists to abide by traffic laws and avoid negative behaviour while on road. In 2014, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced the ban of importing motorcycles with engine capacity under 70cc.
The move was another step carried by the government to prevent accidents and make Sultanate’s roads safer.
Lack of basic road safety measures among young riders was cited as the main cause of motorcycle accidents in the Sultanate.
Fahad al Ghadani
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