tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post2578436784347901947..comments2024-03-19T04:51:17.560+04:00Comments on [MM] Muscat Mutterings: ROP announces 2011 stats for road deathsSythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09864800112417099664noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-47771696591157477742013-05-13T11:33:50.182+04:002013-05-13T11:33:50.182+04:00I stumbled upon this site through search engine an...I stumbled upon this site through search engine and I have been reading along all the blogs posted. They are very well written indeed. Thanks.<br />bus from penanghttp://www.busonlineticket.com/bus/five-stars-express-penangnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-18941400218225863482013-04-09T01:22:25.557+04:002013-04-09T01:22:25.557+04:00It’s about time the GOVERNMENT implements strict l...It’s about time the GOVERNMENT implements strict laws on cyclists/bikers’ safety. The road doesn’t belong to car drivers only. We all have equal rights to use it, and together with that, we have the right to safety. If this succeeds, then more people would buy motorcycles because they’re cheaper and faster.Ebony Beehttp://www.indywesthd.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-28478242769475596722013-04-09T01:20:26.416+04:002013-04-09T01:20:26.416+04:00It’s about time the law implements strict laws on ...It’s about time the law implements strict laws on cyclists/bikers’ safety. The road doesn’t belong to car drivers only. We all have equal rights to use it, and together with that, we have the right to safety. If this succeeds, then more people would buy motorcycles because they’re cheaper and faster.Ebony Beehttp://www.indywesthd.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-52947667462266651422013-04-04T23:16:07.960+04:002013-04-04T23:16:07.960+04:00It's about time for the government to make a m...It's about time for the government to make a move on this kind of issue. It don't only concern the safety of the motorists and the condition of the road.Dean Runyonhttp://www.toferlaw.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-85062346871207952162012-06-26T13:54:55.547+04:002012-06-26T13:54:55.547+04:00Increase the safety rating of the car. most car in...Increase the safety rating of the car. most car in oman haven't proper safety rating.. in Dubai and Oman Safety rating of car is differentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-69552427427147285812012-06-07T22:51:46.128+04:002012-06-07T22:51:46.128+04:00Woah! That accident really looks nasty. The police...Woah! That accident really looks nasty. The police should've immediately reported a traffic advisory. They better call <a href="http://www.freeman-freeman.com/" rel="nofollow">personal injury attorney</a> immediately.Dreatori Alexishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09109572220687211532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-34782408905132374932012-05-15T22:09:13.315+04:002012-05-15T22:09:13.315+04:00Road deaths are commonly caused by irresponsible d...Road deaths are commonly caused by irresponsible drivers. Common perpetrators are DUI offenders. Thousands of innocent victims die yearly because of this never-ending problem in our roads.<br /><a href="http://www.lntlb.com/PracticeAreas/school-injury-lawyer" rel="nofollow">child injured at school lawyer</a>Marcellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06645767167004377913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-31779677632397657102012-01-29T14:24:16.057+04:002012-01-29T14:24:16.057+04:00I've lived in Oman for years -- since 1988 -- ...I've lived in Oman for years -- since 1988 -- and have seen huge changes in driving etiquette. When I first came, if you indicated a turn, more often than not the approaching car on the other side of the intersection would stop, blink their headlights, and indicate that you should proceed. Boy, are those days gone! Now, the operative attitude is "After ME, you come first!" People act as if the Sultante's roads and highways were their own personal property. It's enough to make you lose all faith in the intrinsic good of humanity. <br /><br />The way many people drive in the Sultanate defies the imagination. Many of their actions defy all logic. Who in their right mind will try to overtake another car on the right when he sees the other driver is indicating a right turn -- and is, indeed, already moving to the right?? This is more than stupid, yet it often happens to me when I'm exiting a roundabout. Another one: what kind of dolt does it take to consider overtaking a car on the right, crossing in front, then moving on left into the inner lane to pass yet another car? Is he channeling his inner slalom skier, perchance? It's grotesque! Or what about drivers who happily pass other cars on the hard shoulder with a curve up ahead, around which he cannot see? There could well be a car stalled in that emergency lane. But no one even considers this possibility. <br /><br />Then there's the tailgaiting problem. Apparently, no one is taught how much space is necessary between cars in order to stop suddenly and safely. Who is taught that if you are driving at 100 km/h, then you are moving at a rate of a shade under 28 m/s!! Are you going to be able to stop in time to prevent an accident if you're only two meters behind the other car. You won't if the laws of physics are still in force, which I do believe is still true. Now, if you're driving at 180 km/h, then that m/s rate shoots up to 50 meters per second!!! Imagine the inertia that builds up at that speed, so if you come to a sudden stop -- like against a stationary object of some kind -- it's curtains for you and everyone else involved. <br /><br />Another problem is the utter lack of consideration one driver has for another. I was taught -- many, many moons ago, of course -- that if you see another car merging into the flow of traffic from another lane or from a freeway access ramp, then you tap your brake just enough to allow that car to enter safely. Here, if anything, drivers speed up. If a traffic cop in North America saw that happen, the driver would be pulled over, given a ticket, and charged with reckless driving. Why? Because it's frickin' dangerous, that's why! Like I said earlier, the operative attitude is AFTER ME, YOU COME FIRST! Until that changes, I have little hope for much improvement in the driving habits of local drivers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-45573323027547939342012-01-29T14:24:13.477+04:002012-01-29T14:24:13.477+04:00I've lived in Oman for years -- since 1988 -- ...I've lived in Oman for years -- since 1988 -- and have seen huge changes in driving etiquette. When I first came, if you indicated a turn, more often than not the approaching car on the other side of the intersection would stop, blink their headlights, and indicate that you should proceed. Boy, are those days gone! Now, the operative attitude is "After ME, you come first!" People act as if the Sultante's roads and highways were their own personal property. It's enough to make you lose all faith in the intrinsic good of humanity. <br /><br />The way many people drive in the Sultanate defies the imagination. Many of their actions defy all logic. Who in their right mind will try to overtake another car on the right when he sees the other driver is indicating a right turn -- and is, indeed, already moving to the right?? This is more than stupid, yet it often happens to me when I'm exiting a roundabout. Another one: what kind of dolt does it take to consider overtaking a car on the right, crossing in front, then moving on left into the inner lane to pass yet another car? Is he channeling his inner slalom skier, perchance? It's grotesque! Or what about drivers who happily pass other cars on the hard shoulder with a curve up ahead, around which he cannot see? There could well be a car stalled in that emergency lane. But no one even considers this possibility. <br /><br />Then there's the tailgaiting problem. Apparently, no one is taught how much space is necessary between cars in order to stop suddenly and safely. Who is taught that if you are driving at 100 km/h, then you are moving at a rate of a shade under 28 m/s!! Are you going to be able to stop in time to prevent an accident if you're only two meters behind the other car. You won't if the laws of physics are still in force, which I do believe is still true. Now, if you're driving at 180 km/h, then that m/s rate shoots up to 50 meters per second!!! Imagine the inertia that builds up at that speed, so if you come to a sudden stop -- like against a stationary object of some kind -- it's curtains for you and everyone else involved. <br /><br />Another problem is the utter lack of consideration one driver has for another. I was taught -- many, many moons ago, of course -- that if you see another car merging into the flow of traffic from another lane or from a freeway access ramp, then you tap your brake just enough to allow that car to enter safely. Here, if anything, drivers speed up. If a traffic cop in North America saw that happen, the driver would be pulled over, given a ticket, and charged with reckless driving. Why? Because it's frickin' dangerous, that's why! Like I said earlier, the operative attitude is AFTER ME, YOU COME FIRST! Until that changes, I have little hope for much improvement in the driving habits of local drivers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-33885991593259595032012-01-29T14:24:01.507+04:002012-01-29T14:24:01.507+04:00I've lived in Oman for years -- since 1988 -- ...I've lived in Oman for years -- since 1988 -- and have seen huge changes in driving etiquette. When I first came, if you indicated a turn, more often than not the approaching car on the other side of the intersection would stop, blink their headlights, and indicate that you should proceed. Boy, are those days gone! Now, the operative attitude is "After ME, you come first!" People act as if the Sultante's roads and highways were their own personal property. It's enough to make you lose all faith in the intrinsic good of humanity. <br /><br />The way many people drive in the Sultanate defies the imagination. Many of their actions defy all logic. Who in their right mind will try to overtake another car on the right when he sees the other driver is indicating a right turn -- and is, indeed, already moving to the right?? This is more than stupid, yet it often happens to me when I'm exiting a roundabout. Another one: what kind of dolt does it take to consider overtaking a car on the right, crossing in front, then moving on left into the inner lane to pass yet another car? Is he channeling his inner slalom skier, perchance? It's grotesque! Or what about drivers who happily pass other cars on the hard shoulder with a curve up ahead, around which he cannot see? There could well be a car stalled in that emergency lane. But no one even considers this possibility. <br /><br />Then there's the tailgaiting problem. Apparently, no one is taught how much space is necessary between cars in order to stop suddenly and safely. Who is taught that if you are driving at 100 km/h, then you are moving at a rate of a shade under 28 m/s!! Are you going to be able to stop in time to prevent an accident if you're only two meters behind the other car. You won't if the laws of physics are still in force, which I do believe is still true. Now, if you're driving at 180 km/h, then that m/s rate shoots up to 50 meters per second!!! Imagine the inertia that builds up at that speed, so if you come to a sudden stop -- like against a stationary object of some kind -- it's curtains for you and everyone else involved. <br /><br />Another problem is the utter lack of consideration one driver has for another. I was taught -- many, many moons ago, of course -- that if you see another car merging into the flow of traffic from another lane or from a freeway access ramp, then you tap your brake just enough to allow that car to enter safely. Here, if anything, drivers speed up. If a traffic cop in North America saw that happen, the driver would be pulled over, given a ticket, and charged with reckless driving. Why? Because it's frickin' dangerous, that's why! Like I said earlier, the operative attitude is AFTER ME, YOU COME FIRST! Until that changes, I have little hope for much improvement in the driving habits of local drivers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-35158329120867474272012-01-13T09:00:34.685+04:002012-01-13T09:00:34.685+04:00I think the problem goes deeper than speeding and ...I think the problem goes deeper than speeding and driving tests. Some European countries do not have 'speed' limits on certain roads but do not have the same accident rate. Every year Oman has the 'Traffic Symposium' advertised heavily to improve things, but it seems not to have an effect on the individual driver based upon the stats you posted. <br /><br /> And one reason could be is they (the Omani people) don't connect their actions with the consequences. Many Omani people seem to maintain an idea of fatalism/destiny; that whatever happens is the will of the 'higher power' and going to happen anyway thus distancing them from any responsibility in the making of the situation.<br /><br /> This attitude is very dangerous if operating a vehicle. This is especially evident with the lack of use of car seats with small children and by letting kids sit in the middle front. Then, when there is a serious injury or death- it is said that it is god's will not the irresponsibly of not securing the children properly. The standards are low and no one wants to really raise them. <br /> Also, on a different note ROP does not grant automatic licenses to expats from certain South American countries which I find unfair considering expats from Europe and the USA can get Omani driving licenses using their national licence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-16412677595074404602012-01-11T22:18:45.107+04:002012-01-11T22:18:45.107+04:00Motorway lane discpline is none existant here. I&#...Motorway lane discpline is none existant here. I've lost count of the number of numpties (usually our Asian brethren in their 15 year old Toyotas)crawling along in the middle lane at 20 or 30 kph below the speed limit totally oblivious (mirrors, what mirrors?)to the congestion and chaos they cause behind them. This invariably causes tailgating and undertaking with all the dangers that ensue. Until training is improved, standards enforced and culprits punished nothing will improve, sadly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-82067858014460347322012-01-08T15:24:34.927+04:002012-01-08T15:24:34.927+04:00We are all agreed then:
1. Talking / texting while...We are all agreed then:<br />1. Talking / texting while driving is dangerous.<br />2. Over speeding (or not driving in a suitable manner for the conditions)is dangerous.<br />3. The driving instructors are very, very poor at instruction and do not set a good example.<br />4. The ROP are the biggest offenders of speeding and using mobile phones, whether in their own car or the boss's.<br />5. Bus drivers who use a mobile phone while driving with paying passengers on board should be charged with negligence and beheaded.<br />6. Parents who allow their children to ride in the car unrestrained should be castrated to prevent further breeding, their licence taken off them and then beheaded. <br /><br />Let's add some more:<br />- Speed humps or "breakers" are there for a reason - to slow you down as you move through an area that may have lots of pedestrians. Usually this means a mosque, but not necessarily schools. Insane.<br />- When you run across the highway because you are too lazy to walk the long way (tough, buy a car), you look just like a bowling pin. Bowling pins react violently when struck by a heavy bowling ball. So does your body. Except your body turns blood red as you fly through the air. <br />- Roads have certain markings on them designed to increase traffic flow. Some of these explicitly mean "Do not park here because you will interrupt the flow of traffic and hence, cause delays in traffic all the way to Seeb you bloody idiot." So don't park where you aren't supposed to.<br />- While you are on the road, try to plan your trip. Indicate and position yourself for corners earlier rather than later.<br />- Yawn. Bored now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-17166827633701632032012-01-08T13:57:19.603+04:002012-01-08T13:57:19.603+04:00I was driving in the UAE last week and was surpris...I was driving in the UAE last week and was surprised and impressed at the way the traffic stuck to the speed limit, even on a long straight road in the desert with a limit of only 80 kph. It was quite difficult to drive so slow but I remembered getting a UAE fine once and it was really expensive, much higher than the pathetically low ones in Oman. And even if the Emerati rule of withdrawing visas would not work in Oman, they also have a points system that affects nationals and this is being implemented - just last week the National newspaper reported the number of people who had lost their licenses in November for exceeding the permitted number of points. Losing one's driving license would hit anybody equally hard and is not affected by their economic status in the way that a RO 10 fine does. For those that can afford to pay them, speeding fines in Oman are nothing more than a license to drive over the limit, for sale from the ROP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-5180692271009115962012-01-05T10:52:28.641+04:002012-01-05T10:52:28.641+04:00Great i agree,get these instructors to do a course...Great i agree,get these instructors to do a course and be taught how to teach correctly.Plus jail the mobile user for a day or two.Enough is enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-37963214310007193042012-01-04T17:47:17.221+04:002012-01-04T17:47:17.221+04:00Cell Phone is a real problem. You notice that the ...Cell Phone is a real problem. You notice that the car in front of suddenly slowed down and you have assume that he/she got a phone call or sms.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-3388357978199456292012-01-04T10:47:30.283+04:002012-01-04T10:47:30.283+04:00Drivers in Oman need to take responsibility for th...Drivers in Oman need to take responsibility for their part in the high rate of road traffic accident deaths and injuries that could be avoided....maybe if they adhered to the traffic rules and regulations that the government has put in place and policed on a regular basis without having (officials) breaching the law that they have been sworn and entrusted with, Oman would be a much safer place to drive. <br />A good number of drivers in Oman think that they own the road and no one can criticize them, and THINK they know better than everyone else and no one will stop them because of who they are or who they know. It is such a sad and shameful thing to realize that Oman’s number of deaths related to road traffic accident is higher than other countries that are at war, whether it’s per day, per month or per year. So, be careful driving and hope to god that one day they might wake up and realize that this is a war in Oman with many casualties, and that it will never be resolved unless the correct measures are put in place immediately and solemnly adhered to by the government, locals and foreigners driving in Oman. <br />I am pretty sure that everyone in Oman is aware of the road safety committee, the traffic exhibitions and the driver awareness programs and so on. That is all well said, but after a certain time they all go back to their dangerous old routine. Yes I do agree that safe driving awareness is very important, but statistically it’s not working, so don’t you think it’s about time we try a different method of approach instead of waiting for more people to die or get injured. <br /><br />Achieving the above will be extremely hard, especially when you have some government officials and locals opposing the fact that they must follow the very rules that might save their live and others. There argument will be that it’s impossible to adapt to all these changes due to local cultures and the locales cannot afford this financially. It’s simple if you cherish your life, your family and friend’s lives then the price is never too high, and yes the culture will change FOR THE BETTER and I’m sure people will agree in any culture that if something saves lives then it’s better for it. It all comes down to how much you are willing to risk for your loved ones and your country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-9364562509086423202012-01-04T10:39:44.990+04:002012-01-04T10:39:44.990+04:00Sythe driving instructors only need to have been d...Sythe driving instructors only need to have been driving for 5 years X_X<br />I am very sure about that.<br />Most driving instructors only teach you how to pass the test, few will really teach you to be a good driver.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-19995855841029060272012-01-03T19:19:37.598+04:002012-01-03T19:19:37.598+04:00I think the UAE model is not much applicable in Om...I think the UAE model is not much applicable in Oman for reason that most of the reckless driver are young Oman's rather then expatriates, Moreover growing populations and joblessness is another major challenge for the Govt to overhaul the Traffic instructions systemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-43955540028643525002012-01-03T08:12:40.904+04:002012-01-03T08:12:40.904+04:00Some great comments everyone - and yeah texting wh...Some great comments everyone - and yeah texting while driving is something that seems to be getting out of control. I remember a couple years ago I saw a guy full on reading a news paper as he drove. Insane.<br /><br />Good observations about the driving instructors too. And Sarah - good point about kids and their air-bag worthiness! :D<br /><br />Thanks for all your comments!Sythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09864800112417099664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-2504647582824481772012-01-03T08:02:47.409+04:002012-01-03T08:02:47.409+04:00@Maroof- What the hell are you bleating on about? ...@Maroof- What the hell are you bleating on about? My mistake? What is my mistake in all this?<br /><br />Driving instructors teach you respect for other road users, to understand the rules of the road and that safety is a priority in any situation. That is where they are lacking in passing on the rules of the road. And, of course, going all the way round a roundabout in the left lane, using hazard lights when slowing down or when it is raining, undertaking in the slow lane and a plethora of other maladies.Lover, Lovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-84551257596107384182012-01-02T22:11:07.222+04:002012-01-02T22:11:07.222+04:00The driving examiners are a big problem. If I had ...The driving examiners are a big problem. If I had a rial for every time I've seen one of those cars being driven solo by an examiner who was texting or calling...<br /><br />The huge proportion of very young drivers is a big part of the problem, too. It's hard to convince 19 year olds in ANY country that they aren't invincible...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-5574813468548700092012-01-02T19:57:52.624+04:002012-01-02T19:57:52.624+04:00It was not written in a light hearted manner but i...It was not written in a light hearted manner but in despair. Texting while driving is a very serious problem. Also it is not confined to Oman. There have been numerous instances of people walking into stationary objects while texting. Could it be the cause of the reported numerous incidents of collisions with stationary objects and run overs of pedestrians by vehicles?.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-21169851658132489282012-01-02T19:34:20.011+04:002012-01-02T19:34:20.011+04:00Sorry, previous anonymous, Oman is by no means a j...Sorry, previous anonymous, Oman is by no means a joke, but a country that - from what I have seen in living here for the past 6 years - is in the process of very gently developing into a modern state, unlike others who try it with force and end up with bloodshed and violence.<br /><br />To me, point three is the number one: competent instructors, theory tests and wasta-free examiners, who actually know what to look for in a capable driver are in dire need in order to make the new generation of Omanis responsible drivers. And yes, the annual inspection of older cars certainly needs to be a bit more thorough than: "turn the lights on and off". Higher fines might help, but personally I always believe in education and reasoning rather than punishing, although I know I might just be a little idealistic with this idea here...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2368053937631641478.post-49267643047822681032012-01-02T17:04:09.938+04:002012-01-02T17:04:09.938+04:00Last week on the expressway we were following a ca...Last week on the expressway we were following a car travelling very slowly in the middle lane. The traffic was heavy including lorries and so a lot of cars were backed up behind him resulting in various hair-raising manoeuvres as other cars tried to overtake. Eventually we got past and-you've guessed it-he was texting... but with both!!! hands, totally unaware of the chaos around him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com