13 – 14 October 2014, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Oman Road Safety Association
Championing an integrated approach to road safety enhancement
R
oad Safety has become a concern of every citizen and resident in our dear Oman. It is an obsession and our responsibility as a non-profit organisation concerned with all aspects of road safety, starting from the Road Safety Management, Road’s Infrastructure, Safety Standards of Vehicles, Road User Behaviour, and ending at the Post Crash Care, says Amor bin Nasser al Matani, Chairman, Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA). In an insightful chat with Oman Daily Observer, the Chairman highlights the pivotal role being played by Oman Road Safety Association in changing mindsets that underlie the local motoring population’s rather lax approach to road safety. Through partnerships with stakeholders, public and private sector organisations, the Association has launched a series of far-reaching initiatives that is evidently having a positive impact on road safety trends. The ‘Safer Kids… Safer Oman’ and ‘Be Street Smart’ campaigns are examples of the laudable work being done by ORSA.
the Omani people, financial resources, good infrastructure, problem recognition clear in youth and among opinion-formers in civil society and willingness of sectors to co-operate in partnership activity.
Excerpts from the interview: Kindly comment on ORSA’s success in raising national awareness on road safety and embedding this key issue firmly in the public consciousness. There is no doubt that the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, and the development of our present, keeping a clear vision for our future, is the key to our success.. Yesterday was our beginning in announcing and publicising the Oman Road Safety Association, and being one of the founding members behind this association, it gives me pride to mention that since the establishment of the Oman Road Safety Association, it has been able to evolve over the years and play an active role in contributing to the reduction of the negative impacts of traffic incidents. The Association was able to reach and raise awareness of more than 22,000 people (Omanis and non Omanis) in 2013 through events and outreach activities, and in 2014 the Association continuing its efforts raising traffic awareness and adapting methods to assist in developing the right culture in each target group of youth, children, mothers, fathers and others. In addition, Oman Road Safety Association carries out sustainable projects on road safety in partnership with number of other stakeholders. How is ORSA looking to build partnerships with public and private sector organisations, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in reinforcing road safety goals and values? We work closely with our stakeholders to try to influence the integrated approach to road safety enhancement that includes enhancing laws, road engineering and marking and raising safety standards in vehicles and suggesting regulations to assist in managing the whole public transportation options. In addition to that,
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Amor bin Nasser al Matani
Chairman, Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA)
offering different means of public transport such as trains. Oman Road Safety Association has been engaging high level authorities on different subjects related to road safety. Through such conferences, we also grab the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience between Oman and external parties and countries. We are in discussion with some stakeholders and planning to partner in an international conference on road safety next year. What are the challenges being faced by ORSA in changing deep-seated behaviors (such as reckless driving, speeding, overtaking, and so on) that are responsible for a majority of traffic mishaps in the Sultanate? Our challenges are faced for many reasons, I mention a few; lack of visible targets and milestones, lack of understanding of road safety in general population, lack of integrated road safety experience and fragmentation of existing knowledge among many parties are some examples of why we have not been able to notice tangible results so far. However, we have many opportunities and strong points too, most notably the wise leadership of His Majesty the Sultan, as well as a desire that every citizen should keep road safety part of their majlis discussions. We are also motivated by, among other things, the ambition of the Oman Road Safety Association, global leadership in road safety of the Government of Oman, clear lead agency in the Royal Oman Police, potential of
Please outline some of the Association’s most successful initiatives in promoting road safety in Oman. Awareness Campaigns: Oman Road Safety Association has been implementing a number of campaigns engaging different target groups of the community – both Omanis and non Omanis, we have ‘Safer kids.. Safer Oman..’ campaign where we target children from 5 to 10 years old, through awareness talks, discussions, lectures and traffic village that enhances road safety messages through offering practical experience. For youth, we have ‘Be Street Smart’ project and we offer volunteering opportunities with us – everyone who has the interest to volunteer with Oman Road Safety Association has to undergo at least 12 hours of training in different road safety knowledge and concepts – this offers a channel of the correct road safety best practices and influences positively on road users behaviours indirectly. These trained youth that are professionally trained on best practices of road safety will be the trainers dedicated to carrying out regular workshops targeting general public (with focus on youth and mature adults). They will also be responsible for the monitoring of progress and reporting back to the Association. To ensure sustainability of this approach, they will be asked to commit to train at least 10 other trainers and commence at least 5 workshops each targeting general public. This will ensure that the Association remains with enough number of trainers to carry out regular training workshops annually (the association is aiming to conduct 20 workshops annually – each with 20 persons) Animated videos: Furthermore, with help of private sector companies, Oman Road Safety Association was successful in developing five educational animated video on road safety. Realising the success of such approach, the Association created further 15 episodes of films on road safety targeting general public and are planned to be showed in cinema theatres/ on TV and/ or uploading them on social media. The films address different road safety topics. What is the Association’s position with regard to the use of stiff penalties and prison terms as a deterrent towards questionable driving behavior? Is such a penalty system effective in reducing road mishaps? Yes! We do believe in effectiveness of penalties and prison as a deterrent towards questionable driving behavior. However, this is not only the way to solve the problem from my point of view, there should be a clear stated law with continuous educational campaigns to inform drivers and different road users about the laws and penalties.