(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Public opinion on the streets of Muscat
Do you think increased traffic fines are enough to bring down the number of road accidents?
Rashid al Balushi, Manager
Yes, new laws will reduce accidents and help curb the reckless attitude of some motorists. Accidents are decreasing and with new laws they are sure to go down further. The black point system will instil fear in motorists.
Walid al Hajri, Automobile mechanic
I don't think new traffic fines will have any impact on reducing the number of accidents. It is advisable to follow a system where you encourage and motivate motorists rather than spread fear. For example, the ROP should give the Perfect Motorist Award to those who comply with traffic rules every year.
Ismail al Balushi, Teacher
Increase in traffic fines has been a reason for the decline of road accidents. The new rules are sure to bring down the number further.
Fathiya al Minji, Auditor
Hopefully, these new rules will be a good start for curbing accidents in Oman. Introduction of heavy fine is the best way to make drivers comply with traffic rules.
Salaah Abdullah
Manager Drivers will now be more careful while on the roads. This will have a significant impact on reducing the number of accidents because people will adhere to speed limits, avoid using phones while driving and follow other traffic rules.
Salim Khalfan, Engineer
I don't think increase in fines is enough to bring down road accidents. There is a need for drivers to be more responsible while on the road. Rules can't save lives but common sense can.
What kind of offences should the authorities concentrate more on and why?
Badar Saif Salim al Mamari, Supervisor
The earlier traffic laws were concrete and covered all aspects. Also, reckless driving incidents have reduced in the last few years. Hence, there was no need to introduce an overly policed environment where motorists are constantly worried about violation of some obscure regulation.
Shamis Hamood al Rashidi, Senior executive
I was happy to learn that the ROP now has made it mandatory for children to be properly buckled in. Also, wearing a seatbelt is now compulsory for passengers in the rear seat as well. I think this was long overdue. These new laws will reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on roads. I hope they're enforced well.
Mahesh Iyer, Marketing executive
The next step would be to reduce tailgating and lane swerving. I think motorists should understand the ill-effects of these before the ROP steps in. Radar technology which measures distances between cars is already in use in some countries.
Merva Mahmood, Office coordinator
Authorities should concentrate more on failure to use an indicator by motorists when required specially while changing lanes. The other traffic offence that needs strict monitoring is talking over the mobile phone while driving.
Lalu P K, Accounts in-charge
Police should focus on the reckless driving habits of mini-buses. They do not abide by any traffic rule and stop wherever they want to get more passengers. This is very frequent in places like Azaiba and Ruwi. These buses also hamper traffic flow.
Nikhil R V, Senior brand executive
Authorities should focus more on disallowing children from travelling in the front seat. Even if they are above four years they should be fastened to a safety seat. There are a lot of private taxis that ferry children to and from schools without following any safety rule.
Do you think increase of fines and black point system are enough for offences such as misuse of disabled parking slots and drifting?
Arif al Balushi, Manager
Stricter rules and fines dissuade people from committing traffic offences. And, it maybe useful to prevent those who conveniently misuse parking lots meant for the disabled. However, in case of drifting, people know that it is a grave offence, but still do it for machismo.
Fayiz al Balushi, Oil & Gas sector employee
There is no doubt harsher penalties will reduce traffic offences. Motorists who were in the habit of parking at slots allocated for the disabled will now think twice. With drifting now attracting the most black points, I feel there will be fewer cases.
Saeed Mohammed Qassim, Government employee
The increase in fines and black point system are good enough to bring down cases of misuse of disabled parking slots and drifting. Without proper checks and balances people forget that they should act responsibly. Black point system has been successful in many other countries, and I feel people are taking it seriously.
Anjan Kumar Dey, Private sector employee
Fines and black point system are good steps to curb traffic offences. The fear of confiscation of licence will also force drivers to act responsibly. This will also help curb rash driving in Oman and misuse of disabled parking slots.
Imtyaaz Chowdhury, Musician
This is a good initiative and we all welcome it. Safety comes first and such rules will ensure cautious driving. Fear of earning black points and confiscation of licence are enough to regulate reckless driving.
Raju Anwar Hosain, Businessman
The black point system is a good move which will also lead to confiscation of licence of errant drivers. At times people don't mind fines but with black points, they will think twice before using parking for the disabled and indulging in drifting.
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