The Gulf Traffic Week, first introduced in 1984, has been launched this year on March 13, bringing together GCC Traffic Department delegations in Bahrain. To impress upon the people the need to observe traffic rules, during the week the joint teams of all GCC countries will run awareness campaigns, regulate traffic along various highways, visit schools and colleges as well as social institutions, and also open a Traffic Village which shall be open for some ten days.
It is indeed a sad commentary on the noble efforts of the successive organizers of, and participants in, the Gulf Traffic Week that even after 32 years there is need to hammer into the populace the advisability of following a few simple rules of the road.
These rules are simple yet often missed by the habitually careless.
DO NOT USE PHONE WHILE DRIVING:
Most important of all the don’ts on the road, the cell phone is a bigdistraction when you are on the wheel and often leads to accidents or road rage. One might inadvertently jump the red light while talking due to one’s lack of attention or slow down so much that it may turn the driver behind one crazy.
DO NOT SPEED:
Speeding has many unsavoury if not fatal consequences. If he is too fast and is suddenly confronted with the green light turning into red, a driver may not have enough time to stop before it is too late and thus cause an accident. Or, if he presses the brakes too hard he may lose control of the vehicle and damage his own vehicle and jeopardize his life.
REMEMBER TO WEAR SEAT BELT:
Many drivers have lost their lives simply because they were not wearing the seatbelt when an accident occurred. Remember, you may not necessarily cause an accident but if a careless driver ploughs into your vehicle with full force, a seatbelt may save you by ensuring you do not hit your head into the windshield.
DO NOT JUMP RED LIGHT:
This is the worst offence a driver can commit. Never take chance with a red light by jumping it. As you approach a green light in the distance do not speed to ‘catch’ it. Maintain your speed and your comfort level. If it is green by the time you reach it, fine. But if it turns red, heavens may not fall. As the adage goes: Better late than never.
DO NOT ENTER THE YELLOW BOX:
The green light is the signal to ‘go’. It is your right of way. But not when the way ahead is clogged with vehicles. If you insist on entering the yellow box when it is not yet clear, you are going to come in the way of the vehicles from other lanes who at that moment will have the right of way.