Sunday 06 / October / 2024
Muscat: While all of us are preparing to enjoy the five-day Eid Al Adha holiday that begins on Friday, people around the country have been asked to behave responsibly by following rules such as keeping public areas clean and not breaking the speed limits while travelling on roads.
With many people planning to visit tourist areas and public spaces such as beaches and parks in Muscat as well as other areas of the country, Muscat Municipality has reminded people to be mindful that such places are for everyone to enjoy.
“It is part of our plan to increase green cover along roads and streets, and raise trees, flowers and plants in areas planned for walking, resting and various physical activities,” said Dr Suhail bin Salem Al Shanfari, director of the Information and Awareness Department at Muscat Municipality.
“However, we sometimes face challenges from certain individuals, sometimes in the form of sabotage and tampering with public facilities, deforming parks and other negative and undesirable actions, especially in green areas and along beaches.
“These activities have economic and social consequences, and although awareness campaigns through the media are on, the community has a big say in stopping such actions,” he added.
Self-awareness
“We rely on developing self-awareness, rather than the imposition of penalties. During the Eid Al Adha holiday, we hope people will preserve public places, as well as areas they visit for hiking. Take care to leave these places as clean as you found them.”
With the Eid Al Adha holiday running from Friday, 8 July, to Tuesday the 12th, it is quite common for people in Oman to go to their hometowns in the interior to celebrate with their families, while others choose to visit locations either within or outside the country.
While people will be naturally excited to quickly go home once the work day has ended, Ali Al Barwani, the ex-CEO of the Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA), reminded people to not let their excitement spill on to the roads and end up in reckless driving, as such actions could endanger others and cause potentially fatal accidents.
“There are three reasons people are reckless on the road: First, it is summer, so the heat does affect them, and they think that by driving fast, they can spend lesser time under the hot sun,” he said.
“Second, because it is Eid holiday, they are very excited to go home, see their family and friends and start the celebrations, and they are impatient to reach their hometown so they may break the speed limit. I personally have seen people drive at speeds as high as 160 km/hr, when the speed limit is only about 120.
“Third, they believe that they will not be affected by the consequences of rash driving, and so continue to take such risks on the road,” he added.
“This is a crazy attitude, because none of us are any different from the others. If you take a risk on the road, remember that you are putting yourself in danger, as well as others in your car, and all those around you. It only takes one second to commit a serious accident: That’s all. Once it has occurred, it cannot be reverted.”
One of the most popular places people visit at this time of the year is Salalah. With the Khareef season in full swing, many flock to the capital of the southern Dhofar governorate to enjoy the seasonal monsoons that bring with them cool breezes, refreshing mists and turn the surrounding landscapes green as far as the eyes can see.
“Always remember to wear your seatbelt, and that includes those in the rear as well, especially small children,” he advised.
“We come across many people who do not fasten the seatbelts for their children sitting in the rear. Putting them on their mother’s lap, or their father’s lap, or their brother’s or sister’s lap is not safe. The ground in Salalah is wet right now, and if the vehicle slips and you are not secure, it could cause serious injury, and a commotion in the vehicle, when concentrating on the road is of utmost importance.”
“When you are off-road, the terrain is unsteady and the vehicle could jerk suddenly. When that happens, your child, if he is not safely fastened, could fall from his seat and injure himself,” he added.
If they are being held by another member of the family, they might slip from their grasp, and that is not what you want. I would like to remind you all that people in the back must wear a seat belt. Make sure your children are safe in their car seats.”
Many people choose to go off-road when in Dhofar to explore the natural wonders of the region, just as people in other parts of the country who might go camping in the mountains, explore the desert, or enjoy a spot of wadi bashing. Whatever activity they might engage in, Al Barwani has a simple piece of advice for them.
