Brigadier al-Kharji shaking hands with al-Kuwari after signing an agreement.
Traffic safety is a collective responsibility and all should take part in enhancing safety on roads, a senior traffic department official has said.
Brigadier Mohamed Saad al-Kharji, director, Traffic Department, said that community and corporate participation was key to the success of the Traffic Department’s road safety campaigns.
“We evaluate and review our campaigns year on year and address the previous shortcomings in the new ones to improve performance and the targeted outcome is to decrease the number of accidents, fatalities and injuries,” he said, adding that the analysis of the recent traffic statistics clearly indicates that road safety awareness campaigns have been making a high ratio of success.
Brigadier al-Kharji stressed the need for deployment of traffic police men at key areas to handle any congestion, especially during Ramadan, when people go out a lot.
The Ministry of Interior and Qatargas announced last week their joint annual Ramadan Road Safety Campaign under the slogan “Precious moments … don’t waste them through reckless behavior - drive safely”.
The Ramadan Road Safety Campaign, being organised for the eighth consecutive year, is an initiative by the Traffic Department and supported by Qatargas. The month-long campaign focuses on raising public awareness on road safety in an effort to reduce the number of accidents and casualties on Qatari roads.
At a press briefing, Ghanim al-Kuwari, chief operating officer, Qatargas, said: “Promoting road safety awareness is a key element of Qatargas’ corporate social responsibility programme. We are proud to continue our partnership with the Traffic Department for the eighth consecutive year in the Ramadan Road Safety Campaign. As a socially responsible company, we see this as an excellent opportunity to support the efforts of the Traffic Department in spreading the message of road safety in our community.”
Brigadier al-Kharji acknowledged Qatargas’ continued commitment to promoting road safety and its collaboration with the Traffic Department.
As part of the campaign, Qatargas will launch a special road safety commercial to be aired on Rayyan TV throughout the month of Ramadan and in cinemas during the Eid holidays. The commercial focuses on the painful effects of fatal accidents on family members and loved ones.
Several activities are being planned as part of the campaign. Iftar packs will be distributed to motorists on key roads and traffic intersections in Doha and surrounding areas every day during Ramadan. In addition to dates and water, the packs will also contain a booklet, car sticker, and other informative material – all about safe driving.
On the occasion of the Garangao celebration, held in the middle of Ramadan, a festival will be held for families and kids, during which safe driving messages will be highlighted through various performances, games and quizzes. Goodies and gifts will also be distributed to children.
Road safety booths will be set up at major shopping malls on each weekend during Ramadan to communicate directly with the public through live shows, videos, games and pop quizzes related to road safety for the audience in addition to activities for children.
Also during the final week of the campaign, infant car seats will be distributed to parents of new-born babies at Hamad Hospital. Gifts will also be distributed to children who have been hospitalised as a result of traffic accidents and other patients at Hamad Hospital.
