Muscat: The fatalities on the roads of Oman is a war-like situation, according to a senior Minister in the country. 

Speaking at the Road Safety Symposium, being held by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) to raise awareness in the country, Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Hinai, Minister of Justice, urged residents in Oman to improve ‘behaviour on the roads’ to reduce deaths due to traffic accidents.

In Oman, Al Hinai pointed out, 2.07 million traffic violations took place between 2005 and 2010. Between January 1, 2000 and March this year, 9,984 traffic accidents took place in Oman, resulting in 85,542 injuries and 7,033 deaths.

“This is a huge loss of life and property,” the Justice Minister stressed.

Stressing the importance of “proper behaviour on roads while driving, Al Hinai quoted verses from the Holy Quran and sayings of the Prophet Mohammed on the need to accord due respect to life and property of everyone, including one’s own.

He believes that in view of the better technology, network and infrastructure of roads, the road accidents ought to come down in the country.

“Our daily interactions with others reveal our personality. Similarly dealing with the road reveals our personality and all of us need to improve our behaviour on the road,” he added.

The minister reiterated that accidents take place generally due to lack of maintenance of vehicles, disregard to rules and regulations, and reckless driving, leading to the loss of precious lives and property.

Meanwhile, a four-day traffic exhibition opened at the Oman International Trade and Exhibitions Centre highlighting the dangers of road accidents in the country.

On an average, about 10,000 motor accidents occur every year in Oman, leaving 680 dead and 7550 injured. The country’s road accident death rate is 28 per 100,000 populations, which is far higher than the global average of 19 killed per 100,000.

Oman is ranked fifth in the world in relation to deaths by traffic accidents.

Organised by the OITE, the Traffic Safety Expo 2010 has made an attempt to bring together both local and international exhibitors who showcase innovative safety solutions that include the latest technological advancements and best practices.