Oman

Country Summary

Oman has one of the highest rates of traffic accidents worldwide. Nearly six thousand men, women and children have lost their lives in car crashes in Oman between 2000 and 2008. Seventy thousand were injured during that period, some were disabled for life. According to a study by Omani Non-Governmental Association, Salim and Salimah, excessive speed and poor driving skills are among the main causes of car crashes. The association reports that most of the fatal crashes in Oman occur between Wednesdays and Fridays on 2-lane highways in the interior of the Sultanate and that the largest category of individuals killed or injured in crashes are married Omani men between the ages of 26-50 years. The Royal Oman Police (ROP), on the other hand, reports that 42 per cent of the dead and injured were children under the age of 25 years. “Most of the child passengers were unrestrained and thrown through the window, around the car or crushed by the person holding them”, cites Salim and Salimah (www.salimandsalimah.org).

Our activities in Oman

In 2012, we will take part in Multi-sectorial meetings aiming to boost partnership in the country for an effective Road Safety strategy in the country.

In February 2011, we co-organized the Road Safety Youth Assembly in Muscat (first Regional Youth Assembly), with the Omani Youth Ambassadors and YOURS (Youth for Road Safety). These young people will promote the Muscat Road Safety Youth Declaration adopted in the assembly and will be actively involved in the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2010 -2020).

In June 2009, we, in collaboration with Shell Oman, helped organize the first national road safety workshop in Muscat. Government representatives, businessmen, and members of the civil society came together, to review the road safety situation and create a national framework for future road safety interventions.  Participants also supported the establishment of the Oman Road Safety Association, a national Non Governmental Organization, to coordinate and synchronize efforts of the different stakeholders.