Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: Omani nationals and residents have been warned by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) against indulging in dangerous behaviour ahead of the Eid Al Adha celebrations in a bid to prevent unwanted injuries and deaths.
During Eid Al Adha there are times that people’s celebrations are excessive, due to which they land into trouble or injure themselves and sometimes die because of taking wrong decisions.
The ROP has issued a warning as such behaviour has become commonplace in the Sultanate during this time, and therefore ROP plans to increase police patrols in congested areas.
“No doubt that during this holiday period there will be an increase in patrols in several areas that are heavily populated, such as places of worship, parks and gardens, including residential areas,” said the ROP. “We are also warning you against wrong and dangerous behaviour, most notably the promotion and use of fireworks,” added the ROP.
Lighting fireworks is a common occurrence during Eid celebrations and considered the most dangerous. ROP stressed that individuals need to be socially responsible, considering the immense danger involved in lighting fireworks, especially for children, as fireworks can damage property and become the source of a fire outbreak. During Eid Al Fitr celebrations last year, an Omani child was seriously injured by a firecracker that exploded in his hand while he was playing with it in Wilayat Nizwa. The child lost four fingers of his left hand.
His father Nasser Al Kindy said, “I ask the responsible authorities to intensify monitoring at the borders and prevent these fireworks from entering, as well as intensifying the punishment for those who attempt to smuggle it in.”
Drifting
The ROP has said, “Drifting or demonstrating skills of a vehicle is a serious offense, which disregards public safety and road ethics. The ROP will take strict action against those who commit this act, to protect the community.”
“They will be imprisoned and will not be released until they are referred to a court and that is due to the seriousness of the act, which puts properties and lives in danger.”
It is a well known fact that speeding is the leading cause of accidents, injuries and deaths in the Sultanate and there can be never enough warnings from the ROP and several other authorities.
Excessive speeding leads to the driver losing his ability of anticipating the road situation, as well as losing control of the vehicle, which will increase the chances of an accident.
According to the new traffic law, Article (50/1) states that imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of OMR500 or either of the two punishments shall be awarded to those, who drive recklessly with excessive speed, without focus, or in a dangerous way, which can put someone’s life or property in danger.
“Every one of us wants to reach our destination in the shortest time possible, but as the expression goes ‘It’s better for you to be late than not there at all,’” ROP said.
Many families like to wind down and relax on beaches, swimming pools and wadis during the Eid holiday, which also gives them a chance to cool off from the sweltering heat.
However, many accidents have occurred where poor swimmers drowned or barely survived, while others got pulled out to sea due to riptides and strong currents. “Some families, clubs and sports teams take advantage of the Eid holiday to organise group trips (to beaches), and drowning accidents are the most common occurrence, especially with children due to swimming in areas with strong currents and rough waves,” said ROP, adding that some people also don’t know how to swim.
