The Minister of State for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani (centre); Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture H E Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa bin Abdul Azziz Al Thani (third from left); Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary-General of the Supreme Education Council H E Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud (fifth from left); Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari (second from right), with other officials at the launch of the National Road Safety Strategy in Katara, yesterday. (Salim Matramkot)
DOHA: A 10-year National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) launched yesterday is expected to significantly reduce fatalities and serious injuries in the country by 2022.
Despite significant improvements in road safety made in recent years, 220 people were killed and 550 seriously injured in crashes between 2008 and 2010, according to Qatar Statistics Authority.
With the implementation of the NRSS, the number is expected to be reduced to 130 and 250, respectively, in 10 years.
The strategy sets the road map towards an ambitious long-term vision to develop a safe transport system that protects all road users from death and serious injuries, said Enginner Nasser Ali Al Mawlawi, President of Public Works Authority (Ashghal) during the launch.
Mawlawi urged the need for all institutions and communities to join efforts to achieve the goals of the ambitious strategy.
It is based on the principles of safe system, which ensures safety of road users, vehicles, roads and safe speed.
Specifically, it includes road users’ education, taking action against those who break rules and promotion of safety features in vehicles.
Under the strategy, roads and roadsides will be designed, built and maintained to reduce risk of impact of crashes while speed limits will be set and strictly enforced.
The National Traffic Safety Committee and its sub committees leading safety efforts in Qatar will be overseeing implementation of the strategy through the traffic Safety Action plan 2013-2017.
The NRSS involves government entities, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, Supreme Council of Health, Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, Supreme Education Council, Supreme Council of Family Affairs, Public Works Authority, Qatar University, Qatar Media Corporation and General Secretariat for Development Planning, among others.
The launch was attended by H E Sheikh Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of State for Interior Affairs and Chairman of National Road Safety Committee, along with other ministers and senior officials.
The Peninsula
