Ministry Of Interior Rolls Out Traffic Safety Drive For School Students In 2024

The Ministry of Interior (MoI), through the Federal Traffic Council and in collaboration with the nation's traffic departments, has launched the fourth quarterly traffic campaign of 2024 under the slogan "Traffic Safety for School Students." This initiative coincides with the start of the new school year and aims to raise awareness across all segments of society, particularly parents, school students, drivers, and those involved in student transportation.

The campaign's goal is to foster a culture of traffic safety and create a secure school environment free from accidents, making roads safer for everyone. Brigadier Hussein Al Harthy, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, emphasised that this campaign is part of the Traffic Sector’s initiatives, reflecting the Ministry of Interior's strategy and following the directives of police leadership to achieve the highest levels of traffic safety, especially for school students.

The campaign also seeks to enhance road security and reduce traffic accidents. Al Harthy stated, "Our efforts continue with each new school year in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities to ensure traffic safety for school students. In collaboration with the general police leadership across the country, we have launched the national campaign 'Accident-Free Day', aiming to make the first day of the school year accident-free."

The campaign is being implemented with coordination from traffic and patrol departments nationwide, along with various ministries and authorities concerned with traffic safety in both public and private sectors. Al Harthy stressed the importance of increased awareness and guidance to enhance traffic safety among parents, students, drivers, and school bus supervisors.

The campaign includes a wide range of activities, events, lectures, and programmes designed to educate students. These efforts aim to reach a broad audience through various media channels including print, audio, visual, and social media. Additionally, traffic patrols around schools will be intensified to regulate traffic flow.

Al Harthy further explained that the campaign's plan involves intensifying traffic patrols to monitor main and secondary roads near schools. This ensures smooth traffic flow and prevents congestion to provide safe transportation for students. A comprehensive programme has been prepared for traffic awareness campaigns and workshops which will introduce traffic rules, regulations, and guidelines.

Educational Initiatives

The programme will also offer educational initiatives for school bus drivers and supervisors in collaboration with all stakeholders responsible for student safety. Efforts will focus on spreading traffic awareness through social media and setting up awareness points across roads nationwide.

This initiative reflects a concerted effort by various entities to ensure that students can travel safely during their daily commutes. By focusing on education and enforcement, it aims to significantly reduce accidents involving school children.

With inputs from WAM