Latest news with #Al-Falahi
Times of Oman
12-04-2025
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
ROP to raise awareness on dangers of using mobile phones while driving
Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) will launch Gulf Traffic Week on Monday under the theme "Driving Without Phones" to raise awareness about the dangers of using mobile phones while driving. Mobile phone usage during driving is one of the top challenges threatening road safety and poses significant risks to lives and property.. Brigadier Engineer Ali bin Hamoud Al-Falahi, Director-General of Traffic at the Royal Oman Police, highlighted that this year's theme reflects the commitment of traffic departments across the GCC to tackle one of the most dangerous behaviors endangering road users. The slogan emphasises the risks of using mobile phones while driving, which leads to distraction and reduced focus, causing serious accidents that are entirely preventable, he said. The message is clear and direct: safety begins with a decision, and driving requires complete attention, he added. Statistics show that mobile phone use is one of the main causes of traffic accidents, making this initiative a necessary step towards safer roads. Brigadier Al-Falahi added that using mobile phones while driving is a significant negative behaviour that affects road safety, often leading to distractions and reduced concentration, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Such behaviour can result in severe human losses and social repercussions, with international statistics revealing that at least 25% of annually recorded accidents are directly linked to phone use while driving, whether for calls, texting, or browsing. Despite the inherent dangers, some drivers continue this practice due to overconfidence in their ability to control the vehicle or to save time. This behaviour often stems from weak traffic awareness and a lack of responsibility among certain drivers. To address this, the Directorate-General of Traffic implements various comprehensive strategies to minimise accidents, focusing on reducing mobile phone use while driving. These include intensive awareness programmes, delivered through lectures and publications at schools and universities, as well as collaboration with road safety institutes to foster responsible driving culture. On the technical front, the Royal Oman Police has begun deploying advanced smart systems to detect violations like mobile phone use while driving. AI-powered cameras are now operational, capable of analysing images and identifying violations with high accuracy. These systems also help monitor traffic flow and identify congestion points and wanted vehicles, having already been tested extensively on Oman's roads. Brigadier Al-Falahi expressed hope that such technologies would effectively reduce violations and accidents. Brigadier Al-Falahi underscored that road safety is a societal responsibility that requires the collective efforts of all institutions. He noted positive responses from the public regarding traffic initiatives and services and urged drivers, especially youth, to adhere to traffic rules and avoid using phones while driving, ensuring a safer environment for everyone. As part of the weeklong initiative, the Directorate-General of Traffic will organise an awareness exhibition tomorrow at Oman Mall in Muscat, focusing on various aspects of road safety.
Times of Oman
12-04-2025
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
AI-powered cameras to track motorists using mobile phones while driving
Muscat: Mobile phone usage during driving is one of the top challenges threatening road safety and poses significant risks to lives and property of motorists. On the technical front, the Royal Oman Police has begun deploying advanced smart systems to detect violations like mobile phone use while driving, said Brigadier Engineer Ali bin Hamoud Al-Falahi, Director-General of Traffic at the Royal Oman Police. AI-powered cameras are now operational, capable of analysing images and identifying violations with high accuracy, said Brigadier Al-Falahi, adding these systems also help monitor traffic flow and identify congestion points and wanted vehicles, having already been tested extensively on Oman's roads. Brigadier Al-Falahi expressed hope that such technologies would effectively reduce violations and accidents. Brigadier Al-Falahi underscored that road safety is a societal responsibility that requires the collective efforts of all institutions. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) will launch Gulf Traffic Week on Monday under the theme "Driving Without Phones" to raise awareness about the dangers of using mobile phones while driving. The Director-General of Traffic at the Royal Oman Police, highlighted that this year's theme reflects the commitment of traffic departments across the GCC to tackle one of the most dangerous behaviours endangering road users. Statistics show that mobile phone use is one of the main causes of traffic accidents, making this initiative a necessary step towards safer roads. Brigadier Al-Falahi added that using mobile phones while driving is a significant negative behaviour that affects road safety, often leading to distractions and reduced concentration, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Such behaviour can result in severe human losses and social repercussions, with international statistics revealing that at least 25% of annually recorded accidents are directly linked to phone use while driving, whether for calls, texting, or browsing. Despite the inherent dangers, some drivers continue this practice due to overconfidence in their ability to control the vehicle or to save time. The slogan emphasises the risks of using mobile phones while driving, which leads to distraction and reduced focus, causing serious accidents that are entirely preventable, he said. The message is clear and direct: safety begins with a decision, and driving requires complete attention, he added. This behaviour often stems from weak traffic awareness and a lack of responsibility among certain drivers. To address this, the Directorate-General of Traffic implements various comprehensive strategies to minimise accidents, focusing on reducing mobile phone use while driving. These include intensive awareness programmes, delivered through lectures and publications at schools and universities, as well as collaboration with road safety institutes to foster responsible driving culture. He noted positive responses from the public regarding traffic initiatives and services and urged drivers, especially youth, to adhere to traffic rules and avoid using phones while driving, ensuring a safer environment for everyone. As part of the weeklong initiative, the Directorate-General of Traffic will organise an awareness exhibition tomorrow at Oman Mall in Muscat, focusing on various aspects of road safety.
Shafaq News
28-01-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq's temperatures soar 5°C during severe climate crisis
Shafaq News/ Iraq has experienced a significant rise in temperatures, increasing by 4-5 degrees Celsius above the global average over the past 50 years, Jassim al-Falahi, Iraqi Undersecretary of the Minister of Environment revealed on Tuesday. Speaking at the Iraq Energy 2025 conference in Baghdad, Al-Falahi stated, 'Iraq's classification as one of the most climate-affected countries was not arbitrary.' He explained this temperature surge is driven by declining water revenues, severe drought caused by upstream countries' policies, and the broader impacts of climate change. 'These factors have significantly increased energy demand and imposed economic challenges on the government, particularly during increasingly extreme summers,' Al-Falahi noted. To address these escalating challenges, Al-Falahi outlined the National Adaptation Plan, which also includes the Kurdistan Region. 'The plan focuses on adapting Iraq's oil and gas industry to climate realities, promoting sustainable infrastructure, and encouraging investment in petrochemical industries,' he said. Al-Falahi emphasized the importance of utilizing associated gas as a sustainable energy source and adopting modern technologies to drive economic growth while minimizing environmental impacts. Notably, the United Nations has ranked Iraq among the five most climate-vulnerable countries globally. A 2022 World Bank report underscored the urgency of Iraq's climate crisis, calling for a 'greener, more environmentally conscious' development model. The report highlighted the need for economic diversification and a reduction in dependence on carbon-intensive industries. To achieve these goals, the World Bank projected that Iraq would require $233 billion in investments by 2040—equivalent to 6% of its annual GDP—to meet critical developmental needs and transition toward greener, inclusive growth.
