The number of accident victims can be reduced through developing proper plans and programmes focusing on the security and safety of road users and pedestrians, the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) secretary Brigadier Mohamed Abdullah al-Malki said yesterday.

Addressing a meeting to commemorate the World Day for Remembrance (WDR) for those killed in road accidents, he recalled that the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015 released the list of 180 countries that reported highest number of road deaths and injuries.

The highest rates of accidents were reported in developing countries.

In the past three years, many states have added at least one article to their laws to enhance road safety, particularly those on safety belts, high speed driving, helmets for motorcyclists, and use of child seats, he added.

Al-Malki said Qatar has responded early to the seriousness of road accidents on its social and economic components.

The NTSC has been entrusted with the task of drawing up traffic policies to ensure road safety, preserve society and its social and economic assets, he pointed out.

Head of Trauma and Vascular Surgery at Hamad Medical Corp, Dr Hassan al-Thani, recalled that the Road Safety Group started the World Day of Remembrance in 1993 and since then accident victims are remembered every year by civil society organisations worldwide.

The trauma surgeon said there were four main components whose close co-operation is essential for reducing road accidents: road users, vehicles, road traffic officials and doctors.

Ashghal’s Roads Design Department assistant engineer Abdul Aziz Ali al-Sada highlighted the necessity of intelligent transport systems for improving, managing and operating the transportation networks.

Dr Mohamed al-Kharbashi of the Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center at Qatar University also spoke. On the sidelines of the meeting an awareness exhibition was opened at the General Directorate of Traffic with participation of different agencies, working in the field of traffic safety.

Source: Gulf Times Qatar