Traffic Safety Expo 2012 encourages the introduction of traffic safety as part of education curriculum

The 3 day event, focusing on the best safety practice solutions and behaviour, is organised by Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE) in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

The Back to School period is viewed apprehensively by the whole community not only because it signifies the end of the holidays and back to basics, but also because this period inadvertently affects transport patterns and causes unavoidable traffic jams at peak hours. The onset of the school year commencing last month in Oman, coupled with the increasing risk of accidents coming into play during school rush hours, sees the ROP working with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to make road safety issues a part of the school curriculum.

While it is of the utmost importance that children be educated about the dangers of roads both at home and at school, this lesson in education is not meant for them alone but for each and everyone they come into contact with near the school namely, school bus drivers, private car drivers and parents dropping their children to school. Supporting pro traffic-safety practices, the ROP's Public Relations department launched an awareness programme for bus drivers and school children to ensure they adhere to road safety rules and regulations recently during the month of September.

"While it is natural to teach our children about certain things, we must also put what we teach into practice especially when it comes to road safety and moreso road safety near schools. Road safety practices like seatbelt usage, speed management, use of designated parking space and avoidance of overtaking, careless, negligent and reckless behaviour, requires to be undertaken in greater measure in and around school areas. Making an extra effort to transport your child to school early will also avoid unnecessary peak traffic hours and road rage," says Mr. Alawi Al Murazza, Traffic Safety Expo 2012.

Traffic Safety Expo 2012 encourages participation from all sectors of the country towards promoting safe driving habits among the citizens of the country and bringing down the rates of accidents in Oman.