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37,000 benefit from road safety sessions in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - A total of 37,797 motorists have benefited from 373 traffic awareness lectures and programmes organised by the Traffic and Patrols Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Western Region (Al Gharbia) last year.

The programmes focused on enhancing awareness of motorists in public and private sectors, as well as supervisors and students in educational sector.

The programmes were conducted in the framework of a comprehensive plan that aimed at promoting awareness and traffic safety culture in order to boost road safety and curb traffic accidents.

Lt-Colonel Jamal Salem Al Ameri, Chief of Public Relations Section at the Traffic and Patrols Directorate, explained that the programmes featured significant participation of the Traffic Education Patrols, which visited residential areas, educational institutions, schools, government entities, and public areas.

They also included distribution of messages, advice and guidance about the key causes of traffic accidents and the resulting deaths and injuries.

Lt-Colonel Al Ameri also noted that 12 awareness campaigns were conducted last year in Abu Dhabi. The campaigns were based on analysis of traffic accidents and violations data, and on the characteristics of the target audience, in order to achieve the aspired objectives of improving road users’ behaviour and implementing safety rules and standards.

He also said that nine other community-based programmes were implemented across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, as a part of the ‘Councils are Schools’ initiative, which contributed to promoting traffic culture in society.

Furthermore, Lt-Colonel Al Ameri said the Abu Dhabi Police is committed towards developing additional efficient awareness plans for 2015 in order to achieve the objectives of its traffic safety strategy.

“This can be achieved by focusing on social media as a key approach to interact with motorists and road users, particularly pedestrians, and get the messages, advice and guidance across; ultimately enhancing traffic culture and curbing traffic accidents,” he said.

For his part, Captain Hamdan Hassan bin Thaiban, from the Public Relations Section at the Traffic and Patrols Directorate of the Abu Dhabi Police, urged motorists to adhere to traffic laws, reduce speeds, use seat belts, avoid overtaking from the road shoulder, and to exercise caution while driving during foggy weather to avoid road accidents.

Additionally, he called upon heavy vehicle companies, operators and motorcyclists to avoid using roads until fog clears and visibility is good.

He reiterated his warning to motorists to stop their vehicles off of the road and take all precautionary safety measures while driving in foggy conditions.

Captain Bin Thaiban also urged drivers to reduce speed gradually, drive cautiously at a speed that suits the road and weather conditions, to be able to avoid eventual road surprises, especially when the visibility is poor. -news@khaleejtimes.com