A report says:
“The number of people killed on Oman’s roads rose by nearly five per cent to 277 during the first five months of the current year.”
This means almost two people lose their lives every day. For a population of 2.5 million, the figures are quite alarming. To make matters worse –– thanks to the economic boom –– more and more vehicles are on roads everyday, vying and jostling for space.
How to set things in order? Well, ROP needs to get really tough with the offenders. A negligible fine will do more harm than good. Like I said before, hit hard where it matters. Impose heavy fine or cancel licenses of violators, and see instant results.
I remember an Omani tourist guide’s words while we were on a visit to Nizwa a couple of years back. “Oman is a safe country to live when compared to many of its neighbours. The only biggest threat to the country comes in the form of ‘car’. It kills and maims scores.”
How true!