Latest news with #RoadFriends'
Observer
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
ROP boosts traffic safety with training and AI monitoring
MUSCAT: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) continues its efforts to protect lives and provide a safe traffic environment thus contributing to the national development process. These efforts have resulted in a significant decline in the number of road accidents in recent years. Brigadier Eng Ali bin Sulayem al Falahi, Director-General of Traffic at ROP, said that traffic safety institutes train school bus drivers as part of the preventive driving programme, in coordination with the Ministry of Education. The results of this programme are reviewed by monitoring the drivers' performance in transporting students resulting in a reduced number of traffic violations. The traffic safety institutes in the governorates offer specialised training programmes most importantly the preventive driving training curriculum, the vehicle driving instructor training curriculum, the examiner training curriculum, the taxi driver training curriculum, the heavy vehicle driver training curriculum, the rehabilitation curriculum for traffic violations and accidents, the first aid curriculum and the traffic signals and road signs curriculum, the official said. ROP boosts traffic safety with training and AI monitoring Regarding new technological developments, such as self-driving cars and their impact on traffic safety, Al Falahi noted that the ROP has recently launched smart violation monitoring systems and is working on future projects that include artificial intelligence traffic monitoring, paving the way for dealing with smart vehicles by monitoring global developments and assessing risks. ROP is keeping a close eye on the latest technologies related to smart and autonomous vehicles and studying the experiences of other countries to develop a future regulatory framework that suits the Omani environment. It is analysing the risks associated with new technologies to ensure the safety of autonomous vehicles and upon whom legal responsibility falls in the event of an accident, he said. He pointed out that the ROP is working to improve the smart safety infrastructure by updating traffic signals to be compatible with the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as well as improving automated monitoring systems for violations using advanced technologies and installing smart surveillance cameras on main roads. Al Falahi praised the ongoing cooperation between the ROP and the Ministry of Education, which aims to spread traffic awareness and instil a traffic culture among school students. ROP boosts traffic safety with training and AI monitoring The first initiative began by applying an experimental programme 'Road Friends' (VIA) in the 2022-2023 academic year. Following the success of this initiative, the team expanded the programme to include 33 schools across the Sultanate of Oman's governorates. The programme is expected to bring a generation well-aware of traffic rules and safety norms. He explained that the most important causes behind the decrease in road accidents are the increased commitment and awareness of motorists and road users, the efforts undertaken by the Directorate-General of Traffic to raise the level of traffic safety and continuously raise awareness among all society segments. Commenting on the most prominent future challenges, Brigadier Eng Ali bin Sulayem al Falahi, stated that the increasing number of vehicles is one of the most significant challenges, along with population growth and urban expansion. These factors put pressure on existing road networks and infrastructure thereby increasing risk of an uptick in road accidents. He said that risky traffic behaviours include mobile phone use, speeding, failure to use signals when changing lanes, failure to maintain a safe distance, incorrect overtaking and failure to adhere to pedestrian crossings, all of which contribute to traffic accidents. He explained that the lack of regular vehicle maintenance leads to sudden breakdowns that may cause traffic accidents or contribute to the occurrence of other traffic accidents. — ONA
Muscat Daily
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Royal Oman Police develops AI-driven traffic safety strategy
Muscat – Royal Oman Police (ROP) is introducing new technology, including artificial intelligence- based monitoring, to improve road safety as the number of vehicles and urban expansion place growing pressure on the country's road network. Brig Ali bin Salim al Falahi, Director General of Traffic at ROP, said smart traffic monitoring systems were launched recently and a study is underway of the experiences of other countries in the field of autonomous vehicles to develop a future regulatory framework that suits the Omani environment. 'We are analysing the risks associated with new technologies, such as the safety of autonomous vehicles and legal responsibilities in case of accidents,' he said. Traffic signals are being upgraded to work with Intelligent Transport Systems, while automated monitoring is being enhanced with advanced cameras installed on main roads. ROP works closely with the National Road Safety Committee to develop strategies and guidelines aimed at reducing traffic accidents. Recommendations include development of a national strategy to reduce traffic accidents, nationwide awareness campaigns, school traffic safety courses, and greater involvement of civil society and the private sector. 'Our aim is to enhance traffic culture across all segments of society,' Brig Falahi said. Despite a decline in accidents in recent years, challenges remain. Population growth, the rising number of vehicles and a lack of public transport continue to strain the road network, he added. 'Poor driving habits such as speeding, mobile phone use, unsafe lane change and failure to keep safe distance are key contributors to accidents.' Inadequate vehicle maintenance, he said, also causes breakdowns that can lead to collisions. Brig Falahi informed that traffic safety institutes in governorates provide specialised training for different categories of drivers, including taxi drivers and heavy vehicle operators, besides rehabilitation programmes for traffic offenders. Trainers receive updates in cooperation with specialised agencies. Brig Ali bin Salim al Falahi, Director General of Traffic at ROP School bus drivers are trained under a preventive driving programme run jointly with Ministry of Education, with performance monitored to ensure compliance. 'This has led to improved driver performance and fewer violations,' Brig Falahi informed. ROP has also introduced school-based initiatives such as the 'Road Friends' programme, launched in the 2022/2023 academic year and now expanded to 33 schools. The programme aims to produce a generation aware of road safety rules, with students passing knowledge to peers and families. Digital educational content on traffic safety is being designed for early childhood and primary school students. Awareness campaigns run throughout the year, including khareef in Dhofar, targeting both residents and visitors. Brig Falahi said the decrease in accidents in recent years is due to better driver awareness, improved infrastructure and continuous public education. 'Traffic safety is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment of individuals, society, and institutions to reduce accidents and protect lives and property.'
