From left: Col Abdulla Khalifa Al Muftah, Ministry of Interior; Mohammad Saad Al Kharji, Head of Traffic Department; Mohammad Al Malki, Secretary General, National Committee on Traffic Safety; and Hamad Ashkanani, Maersk Oil, at the press conference. Salim Matramkot
DOHA: A national campaign was launched by the Ministry of Interior yesterday to unify all road safety activities and reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by road accidents in the country.
The new national campaign branded ‘One Second’ – meaning that it takes only one second to save a life or destroy it – was launched in collaboration with Maersk Oil Qatar at the Grand Hyatt to serve the road safety strategy in the next phase.
The importance of focus in every second while driving was demonstrated by a presentation.
The new brand will be the umbrella under which all campaigns for road safety will unite.
The number of death caused by road accidents has fallen from 12 per 100,000 in 2011 to 9 per 100,000 in 2012 and the new unified campaign aims to bring down the deaths further. “This is one national unified campaign to enhance road safety,” said Mohammad Saad Al Kharji, Head of Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior, speaking at the launch.
Several other campaigns to increase awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts, using baby seats in cars, tyre safety and avoiding using mobile phones while driving will be launched. Also a simulation system will be introduced in schools to teach students how to avoid reckless driving.
“One Second is an innovative brand, which was born as a result of collaboration between several entities and targets different categories of society. One Second gives out a message to the public in a new and innovative way that serves the purpose of continuing efforts that started with several companies, and societies to raise awareness on road safety and achieve safety for everyone,” said Mohammad Al Malki, Secretary General, National Committee on Traffic Safety.
The ‘One Second’ brand concept has been created by the alumni of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar on a request by Maersk Oil. Maersk Oil has handed over the brand to the Ministry of Interior, which will own it from now on.
Apart from its powerful message, the aim of ‘One Second’ is to inspire many more collaborative, unified efforts among different companies, sectors, private and public enterprises and all categories of society. The Peninsula
