GCC traffic awareness week opens Sunday

The 28th edition of the GCC Traffic Week which opens Sunday will reiterate the message of responsible driving and obeying rules at all times to reduce the number of accidents, fatalities and avoiding damage to public and private properties. This year Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MoI) is observing the Traffic Week from March 11 to 16 under the slogan 'Let us Work Together for Reducing Traffic Accidents', senior officials from the Department of Traffic said at a media conference. The Director of Traffic Department Brigadier Muhammed Saad Al Kharji, Director of Public Relations Department of the MoI Colonel Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Head of Preventive Education Section at Civil Defense Captain Hussain Aman Al Ali and Traffic Awareness Officer 1st Lt. Riyadh Ahmed Salih interacted with media personnel at the conference. Brigadier Al Kharji reiterated the importance of observing traffic rules to reduce the number of accidents at the conference and added that the decision to use the same slogan as last year was taken considering the ground realities, the number of dangerous accidents its consequences such as fatalities and grave injuries to motorists, pedestrians as well as property losses. "The onus of reducing the number of traffic accidents is not only the sole responsibility of Ministries of Interior in the GCC countries, but it is a joint responsibility and all should co-operate and stand together in the endeavour to minimise traffic accidents and help protect lives and public and private properties," said Al Kharji. This year's Traffic Week will be held at Doha Exhibition Centre since it accommodates many people and vehicles, he said. The director also lauded the synergy between the Traffic Department and Public Relations Department on the one hand and all other supporting and participating partners on the other. Giving details of the activities of the Traffic Week at the conference and noted that this year, awareness will be given due importance, seminars as well entertainment for the children visiting the exhibition. Public Relations Department Director Colonel Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah said the programme will be held in two shifts - from 8am to 12 noon and from 4pm to 9pm. Apart from Traffic Exhibition different tents such as Communication tent and Electronic Services tent to provide services of the MoI, Bidaya and Nihaya (beginning and ending) tent and Down Memory Lane tent, said the PRD Director. The programme includes awareness activities and educational seminars where a number of highly qualified scholars are participating. First Lieutenant Riyad Ahmed from Traffic Department said that 55 entities are participating in the traffic exhibition. Leaflets, brochures and posters carrying traffic safety messages will be distributed for the visitors. Tire companies will display different type of tires and its capacity to sustain risks. He also added that a Traffic Village will be setup for the kids with a lot of fun activities. Apart from classic cars show, police canine show will entertain the visitors. The visitors will be provided all the required facilities to enjoy a week of activities, he said. The inauguration ceremony will be held Sunday at 6pm at the Doha Exhibition Centre ground. It will be followed by an open session entitled 'Experience with the Media' lead by Sheikh Rashid Al Zahrani at the Electronic Services tent. Later, two workshops will be held where a number of scholars will discuss themes such as 'Your Fingerprint', 'Plan for your Life", 'Be a Winner', 'Think Proactively', 'Organizational Behaviour', 'Building a Corporate Image', and 'Positive Thinking Skills'. In the 'Down Memory Lane Tent many persons will share their traffic experience while in the Beginning and Ending Tent, which is a new experience will screen a number of awareness films. Similar lectures and thematic workshops, seminars will be held on the subsequent days of the Traffic Week.