Muscat: Oman on Sunday marked the start of the GCC Traffic Week, even with statistics showing that 68 people died and 694 were injured in 543 road accidents across the country in February.
Although the number of road accidents in 2009 dropped by 509 from 3,994 in 2008, the number of deaths rose from 951 to 953.
The number of injuries resulting from road accidents dropped by 775 in 2009 compared to 2008, which saw 10,558 injuries.
"The week-long event here seeks to spread public awareness about road safety by focusing on the role of the driver," said Rashid Al Abry of the Royal Oman Police's (ROP) public relations department.
He said that one of the most important principles of road safety is "preventive driving" which combines between awareness about others' mistakes and respect of traffic regulations.
He said the theme of this year's Traffic Week would focus on awareness on the road.
A traffic exhibit will also be held at the City Centre. Dr Ali Bin Soud Al Bimani, Vice Chancellor of the Sultan Qaboos University, will preside over the opening of a traffic exhibition at City Centre in Seeb district.
The exhibition will display the facilities of the Royal Oman Police, the Mobile Ambulance Unit and the Directorate-General of Traffic, as well as the Directorate-General of Scouts and Guides and the Emergency Medicine Council, according to a statement from the ROP.
