DOHA: The 31st GCC Traffic Week started at Darb Al Saai yesterday, offering activities under the theme ‘Your decision determines your destiny’.
Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Director- General, Public Security, opened the event in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and representatives of participating companies and organisations.
He praised active participation in the week and stressed the importance of community partnership in reducing accidents. He said the ministry is keen to make security personnel close to the public because their role is to maintain safety and security and community policing is a clear example of the policy.
Some 44 companies, organisations and institutions are participating, along with various departments of the ministry.
Activities include puppet shows, camel shows, free driving tests, other cultural and entertainment events, contests for children and workshops on traffic safety.
Brig Mohammed Saad Al Kharji, Director, Traffic Department, said the event features special programmes for children and competitions to raise traffic safety awareness.
He urged the public to visit exhibitions being held as part of activities. He said increasing traffic safety awareness has led to a decline in accident mortality rates. In 2013, the mortality rate was 10 for every 100,000 which fell to eight last year — below the international average of 13. The week includes a workshop on ‘Your Safety is Your Choice’, free art and workshop on traffic signals. Seminars on ‘Driving decisions and their role in reducing accidents’; ‘Common traffic mistakes among communities’; and ‘Motorcycles - hobbies and risks’ will he held during the week.
Dr Eissa Al Hurr will give a lecture on ‘Role of Family in Reducing Accidents’. Speakers from Qatar Lawyers Association and Qatar Red Crescent are also take part. Sheikh Saaban Al Sinouhri from the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs will speak on ‘Drivers’ behaviour’.
Hamad Hospital’s Injuries Unit will present a lecture and a representative of Qatar Awareness Group will speak on ‘Rights of persons with special needs’. Eid Charity, Mawater, driving schools and other agencies will showcase programmes.
The Peninsula
