Road fatalities in Oman show worrying trend

Muscat: Fatal traffic accidents are on the rise in Oman and seem to have shaped the 'Safety First, Insurance Next' campaign that a major insurance company is set to launch nation-wide on October 15.

In the first eight months of 2008, 614 people have lost their lives in 5,290 road accidents registered with the Royal Oman Police (ROP), according to a spokesperson of the ROP's Public Relations Department.

Last year, 897 deaths had been reported in 8,816 accidents. The figures reflect an average marginal increase in road fatalities this year and police have attributed the increased death toll to speeding and reckless driving.

"Lack of safety on the roads is an issue," Dr J. Retnakumar, resident manager of New India Assurance Company, told Gulf News on Tuesday while formally announcing the 'Safety First, Insurance Next' campaign.

Cellphone negligence

Dr Retnakumar said drivers engrossed in mobile phone conversation were the biggest menace on the road. "The authorities are doing their best but it is up to the road users, particularly drivers, to understand that safe driving can avoid accidents and save so many lives," he said.

The proposed safety campaign will last four months, he said.

The campaign will be launched jointly by Brigadier (Dr) Sulaiman Bin Mohammad Al Harthy, Director General of Civil Defence, Royal Oman Police and Anil Wadhwa, the Indian Ambassador to Oman.

According to statistics, as many as 5,000 people have so far died in accidents since 2000 in road accidents.