تويت
This is an investigation that highlights on one of the serious issues in the Omani society. Hope you give us your impressions.
Reckless motorbikes threat the traffic safety in Oman.
Of late, reckless motorbike riding has become a menace for the Omani society. This not only endangers the riders' life but poses great threat to others life too. It is quite common and shocking to see teenagers riding bikes which do not even have basic safety mechanism. The trend assumes alarming proportions when high speed motorbike driving is done in residential areas. The menace which started from cities like Muscat and Sohar has now penetrated interior regions too. Many lives have been lost to this menace, and many were stand endangered if the problem is not dealt with sternly and immediately. This phenomenon raises many pertinent questions. Why the problem is widespread in the Sultanate? Who are responsible, Is it the family, the government institutions or the teenagers themselves? And as it leads to serious consequences, how can we overcome this problem?
Mr.Abdullah bin Mohammed AL Tobi, A Senior Traffic Police Officer, said that the dangers of motorcycles are increasing because most bikes lack the technical specifications that must be met before these are put on the road. These specifications include lights and reflectors and means of security like helmets. He added that motorcycles threaten the safety of the other users of road as the riders of these bikes do not have license and they often move between vehicles and residential regions. These cause accidents that could result in human and material damages.
Supporting the claims of AL Tobi an amateur motorbike rider, Mohamed Al Gassimi recounted his own motorbike accident and said, “I got a way from the tomb but my leg was trapped. I admit that I made a fault when I exceed the speed limit and used the motorbike without license. In fact, several young men from my schools use different types of motorbikes and most of them do not have a license". He added that most of the parents know about that and yet unfortunately they allow them to use these motorbikes.
Another amateur rider, thought accepting the growing menace has his own take on the issue. Ali Al Shukil, believes" the sultanate lacks private clubs or biking tracks for these youth who like the sport of motorbiking, and it is for this reason that most of them practice their hobbies on the road". The government should establish private clubs for the motorbikes lovers", was his suggestion.
There is another dimension to the problem. Besides accidents, motorbikes are also causing noise pollution. Sick people, children and elderly are not able to sleep because of the annoying sounds of these bikes at night. Sawsan Al Bulshi, a Muscat resident, mentioned that "I like to walk on the beach on the weekends but the high sounds of the motorbikes often disturb me and they pose a threat to the walkers’ safety and their comfort".
Slowly reckless motorbiking has become a social problem. And social problems need concerted effort. All members and institutions of the society have to work together to overcome this phenomenon in different regions and willyats of the sultanate. The parents' Maryam AL Ryami, a social Counselor in Bahla School pointed out that
the school and home are basic training ground for creating awareness about the importance of applying traffic rules and the consequences of breaking these roles.
The media has a great role to play on this front. The media should lend its hand to solve this issue as it creates great impact on the youth. Most Omani forums do discuss this issue as a serious phenomenon and warn teenagers about the bad consequences of ridding motorbikes without license, according to Ibraheem Al Manthari, supervisor of Sablat Oman forum yet it needs more effort. Awareness should be created from all possible media outlets like TV, radio, films …etc.
Royal Oman Police is another important stakeholder in the issue. Their effort and actions have a direct bearing on the phenomenon. They should double their efforts to solve the issue. They should intensify inspection campaigns of motorbikes and set new rules and punishments for those who exceed the speed limit and drive recklessly.
Royal Oman Police is another important stakeholder in the issue. Their effort and actions have a direct bearing on the phenomenon. They should double their efforts to solve the issue. They should intensify inspection campaigns of motorbikes and set new rules and punishments for those who exceed the speed limit and drive recklessly.
But, any effort by the police must have cooperation of other members of the community and the media to achieve the desired objectives and ensure the safety of every citizen.