Transport authority launches 'no to accidents' campaign

Dubai: A safety campaign called "no to accidents" has been launched by the Fleet Drivers Affairs Department at the Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA's) Public Transport Agency (PTA).

Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dossary, CEO of the Agency stressed the importance demonstrating full compliance with the traffic rules and regulations on the part of all drivers of RTA public buses, so as to set an example for other drivers, cut down the rate of traffic accidents, and preserve the lives of passengers and road users.

"PTA is keen on continuing training of its public bus drivers by exposing them to modern syllabi involving instruction on safe driving and customer service provided to public bus passengers and adherence to good conduct and manners.

"It is necessary that all drivers should benefit from the training courses offered by Fleet Drivers Affairs Department in order to avoid traffic accidents that not only cause human losses but also inflict tens of millions of dirhams worth of material losses annually," Al Dossary said.

He added that the PTA imposes strict measures against drivers who are involved in serious traffic accidents resulting in extensive human and material losses.

In order that drivers make maximum benefit from training programmes, Al Dossary emphasised the necessity of conducting training syllabi in various languages spoken by RTA public transport bus drivers taking into consideration their cultural and educational backgrounds and development of their personal capacities and skills.

Al Dossary also directed that drivers who have not been involved in traffic accidents during the last three years should be rewarded to encourage them to show further compliance with regulations and more attention to the safety of passengers and road users as well as their personal safety.

The reward is also intended to make them an example to follow by their other colleagues with the ultimate goal of maximising the standard of safety when driving public buses in Dubai.

Mohammad Hamad Bin Fahd, Director of Fleet Drivers Affairs Department at the PTA, commended the strenuous efforts made by the fleet's drivers and their dedication to carry out their jobs despite the difficulties.

Bin Fahd said: "We are keen on utilising the latest training programmes and syllabi obtained from the most prominent international institutes operating in the field of driver training and development, in line with the progress witnessed by the Public Transport Sector which represents the basic pillar for all... vital activities".