Many feel typing a message or reading it on a mobile phone is less risky than calling when driving. A study has proved it otherwise.
The study, conducted by scientists, advises drivers not to use mobiles when driving.
Posted by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) on its Twitter account, the study shows the response ability in sending/ reading messages on mobile phone is 37 per cent less than that of a focused driver.
It shows motorists speaking on phone when driving are 27 per cent less focused. Based on the study, the ROP is cautioning motorists to “avoid using mobiles when driving to avoid tragic incidents”.
Colonel Ahmed bin Sultan al Nabhani, Assistant Director-General of Traffic, said the ROP will continue to ensure the safety of road users during Eid holidays by intensifying patrols, supervising roads and providing timely assistance.
He called on motorists to adhere to the speed limit and avoid racing on the roads.
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. There was a two per cent increase in the number of injured to 1,922 until July 2017 as against 1,885 in the same period of 2016. Among the injured were 1,407 Omanis as against 1,418 in 2016. A total of 515 expats were injured as against 467 last year.
Fahad Al Ghadani
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