The Traffic and Patrol Department at the Ministry of Interior has launched the 'Fourth National Campaign for Road Accidents', with the focus on young drivers and pedestrians on highways.
The initiative, which is a continuation of the ministry's previous campaign, aims to reduce traffic accidents that cause deaths, injuries and damage to public and private property in Qatar, but this time the focus is on young drivers and pedestrians on highways, Brigadier Muhammad Abdullah Al Maliki, Coordinator at the Traffic Department, said at a press conference at the Qtel Headquarters yesterday.
The fourth phase of the one-year campaign is being sponsored by Qtel. Qtel had actively participated in the third stage of the campaign as well.
"The technical team from Qtel and the Traffic Department will collaboratively work with new methods and signage explaining traffic rules, concentrating on high speed rules," Al Maliki said.
He noted that there was a significant reduction of 26.3 percent in the number of traffic deaths last year, which was 199 as compared to 270 in 2006.
"I hope the road from Doha to Mesaieed will be safer with the installation of proper lighting and radar in a couple of months," he said.
Adel Mohamed Al Mutawa, Executive Director, Group Communication, said as part of Qtel's corporate responsibility it will participate actively as much as it could to bring down the number of accidents through its financial and marketing services and technical knowledge.
Responding to a question concerning the use of seatbelts and cell phones, Al Maliki said that an estimated 80 to 90 percent of people are currently concerned about using seatbelts and many drivers are using Bluetooth devices and other gadgets to avoid distractions during driving.
When asked about the steps taken to address the issue of open manholes and excavation works that have caused a number of accidents in the past, Al Maliki said these accidents could be blamed mainly on drivers' behaviour, but the ministry was working with Ashghal to put signage near these manholes, especially the 22-metre manholes found in residential areas.
Brigadier Muhammad Saeed Al Kharji, head of the Traffic and Patrol Department, pointed out the important role national organizations play in sponsoring awareness programmes and campaigns launched by the Traffic Department, saying they look forward to seeing more cooperation from all organizations and associations to curb road accidents and realize the motto of 'Roads Without Accidents' in Qatar.
The Pen
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar