The academic year has started in Qatar, and as a result, the public should expect an increase in traffic as children make their way to school.
As such, the Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) of the Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Trauma Center reminds everyone to stay safe while driving. This is according to an article by the Peninsula Qatar.
Tips to Stay Safe in Qatar Roads this School Year
As thousands of kids start going to school, expect traffic to increase in the road as more cars, buses, and even pedestrians make their way towards schools.
It follows that with increased traffic, the chances of getting vehicular accidents increases as well. Parents must teach their children the importance of keeping safe on the road.
Dr. Rafael Consunji, HIPP Director, reminds parents that children could act on impulse even on the road and be careless. As such, he offers the following tips.
1. Accompany young children.
If your kid is younger than 10 years old, then you should accompany them while going to school.
2. Wear bright colored clothes.
If they walk or bike along the way, they must wear bright-colored clothing so motorists can spot them with ease.
3. Bicycle riders should wear helmets.
While riding a bike, your kids should wear a properly fitting bicycle helmet. This will minimize, if not prevent, head injuries when unfortunate accidents occur.
4. Plan for safety.
At the start of the school year, parents should consider coming up with safety plans in case emergencies occur. They should also review safety tips if the school has a bus.
5. For drivers, look out for pedestrians.
As a driver, you should check for school buses. If school buses have the red light on and the driver extends his stop arm, look for children loading or unloading and stop accordingly.
6. Be good role models.
Adults should show kids how to observe traffic rules and regulations. For example, they should wear their seatbelts, wear bicycle helmets, and follow safety rules on the road. Moreover, adults should not text or call while driving.
7. Properly restrain students.
Students who are seating in the rear seat of cars should be properly restrained, especially if they are 12 years old or younger.
8. Slow down on school zones.
Once you approach a school zone, you should slow down appropriately. Typically, the speed limit is 30 kilometers per hour.
These are just some of the recommended tips to stay safe on the road during this school year. These school kids are the future of Qatar, and as motorists, it is our responsibility to make their way to school a safe way. Fortunately, it seems that drivers in Qatar are getting better at obeying traffic rules, according to this article.