By Sidi Mohamed
DOHA: Staff Major-General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Director-General, Public Security, inaugurated the 32nd GCC Traffic Week at Darb El Saai yesterday.
The theme of the event is ‘Your Decision Determines Your Fate’, a reference to how a motorist can be careful while driving.
The opening ceremony was attended by Brigadier Mohamed Saad Al Kharji, Director, Traffic Department, and senior traffic and interior ministry officials from other GCC countries.
Some ambassadors, diplomats and officials from local companies and institutions also attended.
Staff Major-General Al Khulaifi toured pavilions such as those of Police College, Mowasalat, Civil Defence and Woqod, among others.
Brigadier Al Kharji told reporters: “We have been conducting traffic campaigns every year and our goal is to spread the culture of road safety and reduce accidents.”
There has been an increase in traffic awareness levels and many motorists now follow traffic rules in the absence of police patrols and this is a positive sign, he added.
The number of traffic accidents and casualties has also decreased, he said.
On fines for traffic violations, he said if one pays the fines within a month, the penalty is halved. The measure aims to encourage motorists not to repeat a violation because they remember and would try not to repeat it.
If a motorist waits for a year to pay the fines, for example, he would forget for what kind of violation he was penalised for and he can repeat the violation.
GCC Traffic Week activities are being held from 8am until noon and 4pm until 10pm.
According to officials, more than 60 government departments, agencies and ministries, semi-government entities and private companies are taking part.The Peninsula
