Abu Dhabi: The Directorate of Traffic and Patrols at the Abu Dhabi Police have deployed more than 140 traffic patrols in the emirate to ensure pupils’ safety as the new academic year starts.

In a statement released by the police on Saturday, Colonel Khamis Mohammad, deputy director of the Directorate, confirmed that the authorities have finished preparations to ensure traffic safety as schools start. The preparations include the launch of a campaign titled ‘Their Safety is Our Concern’.

Mohammad noted that there will be patrols deployed across the emirate, especially during school rush hours, to ensure pupils’ safety. He also urged motorists to abide by traffic rules and the speed limit, and urged bus drivers not to use their mobile phones while driving, and to make sure all pupils are seated before driving.

Such efforts are part of the directorate’s annual measures to raise awareness on traffic safety during the beginning of school term.

In the past year, the directorate held nearly 180 lectures and awareness campaigns across public and private schools in Abu Dhabi that were attended by almost 19,000 pupils.

Meanwhile, The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Traffic Coordination Directorate General, has launched the fourth traffic awareness campaign titled “Back to School” to coincide with the beginning of the new academic year.

The campaign aims to unite all segments of society to educate pupils about traffic accidents, and urge them to abide by traffic rules.

Colonel Nasser Ahmad Al Hosani, deputy director-general of Traffic Coordination at the ministry, called upon all motorists, parents, and other road users to cooperate with the police and adhere to traffic rules. Such measures aim to reduce accidents and avoid traffic congestion.

“The campaign aims to raise the awareness of all parties involved in transporting children. It also endeavours to raise the awareness of families and disseminate the traffic culture among children and urge them to respect it,” Al Hosani said.

He noted that the campaign will be launched across many media including radio, newspapers, magazines, and TV channels. The campaign’s theme will also be posted on websites, and social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and blogs.