Doha: A recent seminar entitled ‘Road Safety is a Youth Demand’ served as part of the launch of a road safety campaign at Qatar University (QU) to coincide with the 31st GCC Traffic Week themed ‘Your decision determines your destiny’.
The event was organized by QU’s Qatar Road Safety Studies Centre (QRSSC) in cooperation with students from Media Club and sponsored by Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco), and in partnership with the Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior.
The seminar aimed to draw attention to the campaign ‘Did you know?’ that highlights the urgent need to provide better protection for pedestrians and community members to follow procedures. The event was attended by Dr Rashid Alammarri, Dean, College of Engineering, Dr Khalifa bin Nasser Al Khalifa from QRSSC, Brigadier Mohamed Saad Al Kharji, Vice-Chair, National Committee for Road Safety, and Director, Traffic Management, Lt Colonel Mohammed Radi Al Hajri, Director, Media and Awareness, Traffic Department, Abdullah Al Naji, Director, Training and Development, Qapco, Hassan Al Saai, Presenter, Qatar TV, Dr Noureddine Miladi, Associate Professor of Mass Communication, QU, and QU faculty, staff and students.
Dr Alammarri said: “Promoting road safety is a key community-driven activity the college is advancing in collaboration with organisations to create awareness about the critical issue of pedestrian safety and the need to reduce the incidence of accidents involving pedestrians and drivers. This commitment is in line with national road safety strategies and values and objectives outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030.”
He said QRSSC’s pavilion at GCC Traffic Week featured its studies and programmes.
“Our contribution to society cannot be overstated. We are pleased to be a key partner on this issue that is critical to Qatar’s development and progress.”
Dr Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla, Vice-Chairman & CEO, Qapco, announced support for the road safety awareness campaign and praised the college, QRSSC and the Traffic Department for contribution to the initiative.
“Such programmes encourage positive behaviour and can act as strong and efficient catalysts to tackle road safety challenges. I believe the campaign will make a difference to road safety in Qatar.”
Dr Al Khalifa said QRSSC builds on its programmes, campaigns, activities and research in line with National Road Safety Strategy and in support of Qatar National Vision 2030. He announced the establishment of Road Safety Club at QU that will organise campaigns, events and seminars to disseminate traffic safety information among students and the wider community.
Brigadier Al Kharji said: “These efforts are beneficial to all parties and the Qatari community.”
Lt. Col. Al Hajri called for more efforts to promote road safety as a commitment to the national strategy.
Dr Miladi urged the use of media to spread awareness about traffic rules and procedures.
“Media plays an important role in human behaviour, and many choices in our daily lives are affected by media. Campaigns have a limited time; we need social and traditional media programmes to promote awareness. Children’s shows, cartoons and documentaries should be deployed to encourage road safety values.”
The Peninsula
