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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Road accidents dip 32.8pc at end of 2016

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By Lakshmi Kothaneth — MUSCAT: Feb. 8 - Road accidents saw a 32.8-per cent dip in the country at the end of 2016 as against 2015, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Captain Mudhar al Mazruii, Royal Oman Police (ROP), told the Observer: “The number of fatalities, injuries and casualties has reduced considerably.” What has made the difference? Awareness campaigns or cameras?


Ask Majid Hamad if the campaigns influenced him to drive safe, he replies, “Not really.” Is it the cameras? “A bit.”


“Campaigns do make me think. But I wish there were more positive messages.” Majid, who is in his twenties, is by nature conscious about safe driving, but points out he has seen many people still texting while driving.


“Campaigns should be one of the reasons we are seeing a fall in road accidents. Speed regulations, and fines for texting and speaking on phone while driving have made an impact,” says Hammam al Baadi.


The new roads could also have contributed to reduction in the accident rate, says Hammam. “I watch the road and drivers in the front and the rear. I’m conscious of the cameras. There are people who drive the way they want to between radars. But I feel it’s better to stick to the speed limit,” said Ayub al Busaidy.


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