Manama: The death of three Bahrainis over the weekend has prompted a lawmaker to urge a more visible presence of traffic police in the Sakhir camping area to help reduce the number of accidents.
One young man died on Friday morning when he lost control of his car, which smashed into a palm tree on the roadside and overturned.
A couple camping with their family in the Sakhir area was killed on Saturday morning when their buggy collided with a Saudi-registered car driven by a Briton.
"The area is getting overcrowded and needs constant policing," said MP Abdulhalilm Murad.
"We do appreciate existing efforts by the interior ministry to preserve lives. However, now that there are many more campers, especially during the weekends, there is a need for a greater presence of the police to help everybody enjoy their outing," he said.
More stringent measures should also be used as a deterrent, particularly that many young people head to the Sakhir camping site, said the lawmaker, representing Al Asala in the lower chamber of the bicameral parliament.
"At the same time, we urge parents to assume their responsibilities by being more vigilant and less tolerant," Abdulhalim said.
"Many young men and women use buggies late into the evening, do not respect speed limits and, in some cases, drive them on the highway," he said.
Bahrain this year introduced new regulations for the annual four-month camping season that included a mandatory registering with the local authorities, and a ban on political societies and charity associations to engage in activities.
Only the Bahraini flag can be hoisted on the tents and no animals are allowed in the 32 square kilometre camping site, the new rules said.
Camping is popular among families keen on an escape from city life pressure while several large companies have also started pitching their own tents for their staff recreation.
