Roads to Schools... Open
With the start of the new academic year in schools, universities, and colleges of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, the Ministry of Interior reaped the fruits of its prior traffic efforts and plans devised by the Traffic and Operations Sector. Roads across various governorates were clear and traffic flowed smoothly, supported by a significant presence of patrols from the Traffic and Emergency sectors, backed by the General Security Sector, to handle any emergencies.
Al-Rai monitored the situation on the roads from the Central Operations Room in South Salmiya, tracking road surveillance via cameras distributed across the country, and observing driver compliance with instructions and traffic awareness campaigns aimed at ensuring the safety of road users and their safe arrival at their destinations.
From the Operations Room, Acting Head of the Operations Section, Major Eid Sulaiman Al-Anzi, told Al-Rai that “the country’s roads experienced smooth traffic flow on the first day of students’ return, whether to schools, universities, or colleges. No obstructions were recorded, except in some locations that experienced vehicle congestion.”
Al-Anzi added that “the most congested areas were Sabah Al-Salem, Hawalli, and Salwa, as well as some roads undergoing maintenance works. However, thanks to the efforts of security personnel and the cooperation and compliance of drivers with instructions, the first day proceeded smoothly.”
Al-Anzi clarified that “the number of reports received by the Operations Room from dawn on Sunday until 2:00 PM totaled 182 reports. Of these, 90 were accidents, varying between 78 minor incidents, 12 collision accidents resulting in injuries, and one hit-and-run case due to a person failing to use a pedestrian bridge. The remaining reports involved vehicle breakdowns and requests for assistance.”
Al-Anzi urged drivers to “cooperate and comply with traffic laws established to protect lives and property, focus on the road while driving, and avoid using mobile phones or engaging in overtaking maneuvers, which can lead to detention of the person or vehicle for certain violations that warrant such penalties.”
The Traffic Awareness Section of the General Administration of Operations and Traffic had announced the continuation of field efforts at the start of the academic year, through intensive traffic deployment and distributing patrols at the entrances and exits of areas and around schools, aiming to facilitate traffic flow, enhance smooth movement, and reduce congestion.
The sector called on parents to cooperate with traffic officers, adhere to designated drop-off zones for students, avoid random parking or obstructing traffic flow, and comply with traffic instructions and guidelines. It also emphasized the importance of students and their companions crossing at designated pedestrian areas to ensure their safety and that of other road users, thereby contributing to a safe and organized traffic environment during the academic year.
