Saturday 02 / May / 2026
Muscat: The 38th Gulf Traffic Week, organised by the Royal Oman Police under the slogan 'Cross Safely', will begin on Sunday, and continue until May 7, with the participation of relevant government institutions and private sector companies.
Brig Ali bin Salim al Falahi, Director General of Traffic at the Royal Oman Police, said the slogan of this year’s edition carries a strong awareness message focused on protecting pedestrians and reducing run-over accidents. He noted that it promotes a culture of safe use of pedestrian crossings and adherence to traffic signals, particularly in crowded areas such as schools, markets, and highways.
He explained that Gulf Traffic Week is one of the most important annual awareness events aimed at enhancing road safety, reducing traffic accidents, and promoting social responsibility through institutional partnerships between government, private sector entities, and individuals.
Al Falahi said the week’s activities include traffic exhibitions in shopping centers across all governorates, educational lectures and training courses in schools, universities, and public and private institutions, as well as radio and television programmes. A participatory seminar will also be held with relevant stakeholders focusing on pedestrian safety as a shared responsibility.
He highlighted that Oman has witnessed notable improvements in traffic safety in recent years, attributing this progress to sustained efforts by the Royal Oman Police at supervisory and operational levels.
On the role of technology, he said modern systems, including artificial intelligence, have contributed to enhancing traffic monitoring and detecting violations, helping reduce accidents and improve compliance with traffic laws.
He also pointed to awareness initiatives implemented through traffic safety institutes, which focus on defensive driving and safe behavior using theoretical training, practical applications, and virtual reality simulations to demonstrate unsafe driving practices.
Al Falahi stressed the importance of parental and educational roles in instilling traffic awareness among children, including safe walking habits, proper road crossing, bicycle use, and safe boarding and disembarking from school buses. He noted ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Education through programmes such as “Friends of the Road” and digital awareness content targeting students.
He concluded by affirming that road safety is a shared responsibility, emphasizing that compliance with traffic laws reflects not only legal obligation but also societal awareness and a culture of responsibility that contributes to safer roads for all.
