Issue No 5 March 2007 - moi.gov.kw into consideration when placing educational ... different ﬁelds and sought to train them on ... KKD 250 for Kuwait’s model driversD 250 for Kuwait’s

Issue No. 5 March 2007

The Higher Traffic Council'sChairman, members and Mururiya staff

congratulateHis Highness the Amir,

His Highness the Crown Prince,His Highness the Prime Minister,

First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of Defenseand

the Kuwaiti peopleon the occasion of the 46th National Day and 16th Liberation Day

with hopes the country would enjoy greater prosperity and advancement

3Issue NoÆ 5 March 2007

I would like to congratulate you all on the occasion of the GCC Traffic Week and commend

those overseeing preparations for this event, as it is important in reminding citizens and

expatriates of the importance of abiding by traffic laws and regulations and to be cautious

while using the road.

My dear car drivers,

Out of our belief that a nation’s most importance resource is its human resource, we

must protect this as a means for development and growth. Thus, we must come together

to preserve the lives of our children and provide them with proper guidance for safe

driving that steers them away from traffic accidents. These accidents have become the

concern of all and is one of the state’s main concerns because of the many innocent lives

it claims. A policeman cannot, however, guarantee the safety of drivers alone, and needs

the cooperation of all those who use the road so as to guarantee security and safety for

all.

Abiding by traffic laws and regulations is the way to avoid dangers of the road, which is

why we chose “your alertness is the key to your safety” as a slogan for this year’s traffic

week as it holds great meaning. Being alert means being constantly aware of the road,

and this also means adhering to traffic laws which help avoid sudden occurrences on the

road.

At the end of my speech, I thank my sons and brothers the policemen for the great duty

they carrying out for their country, and ask Almighty Allah to protect us all from harm.

Speech ofFirst Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and

Minister of Defense

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-

SabahOn the occasion of the GCC Traffic Week

Issue NoÆ 5 March 20074

Al-Mururiya (Traffic)

Monthly traffic awareness, cultural,

social, comprehensive magazine

Issue No. 5 (March 2007)

Issued byHigher Traffic Council

Editor in chiefColonel Dr. Abdullah M. Al-Traiji

Deputy Editor in chief

Dr. Abdullah I. Al-Turaif

Managing Editor

Colonel Rabee’a M. Al-Mutairi

Executive Editor

Adel Bader Botaiban

English Translation & Editing

Eman Mohammad Al-Awadhi

Published articles reflect the opinions of

their writers and do not necessarily

represent the views of the magazine

1414

Al≠Qallaf regrets not using

seatbelt

“your alertness is the key to your safety”

1212

Our children and traffic safety2222


Read in this IssueRead in this IssueTraffic Talk 6

Traffic News 10

Safety First 22

Traffic Technology 27

Op≠Ed By DrÆ Haila Al≠Mukaimi 30

Traffic accidents distort psychological

defenses

Legal Highlights

24

66

2828

Letters send toEditor - in - Chief

Address:Higher Traffic Council

Kuwait - Shuwaikh B

Block 2 Street 20

Tel. : 484 7893 / 484 9857

Fax: 481 4356

P.O. Box: 8 Shamiya 71661 Kuwait

E-mail: [email protected]

CV of Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Adel Al-Tabtabaei• Law degree from Kuwait University • Masters degree in general law from Kuwait University • PhD in constitutional and administrative law from Ain Shams University • Constitutional advisor to HH the Prime Minister • Dean of Kuwait University's College of Law • Constitutional advisor to Justice Minister • Headed many specialized committees for preparing draft laws • Prepared studies for Kuwait Institute for Legal Studies • Contributed to editing specialized magazines • Author of many legal books and research papers • Attained many honorary prizes • Participated in many legal conferences • Supervised many PhD andMasters theses


Interview conducted by: Colonel/ Dr. Abdullah Al-Traiji - Dr. Abdullah Al-Traif - Colonel/ l Rabeea Al-Mutairi - Adel Botaiban

Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Adel Al-Tabtabaei stressed the importance of awareness with regard to social issues, especially those involving people’s lives, and emphasized the traffic issue was a social one in the first degree and required quick intervention of all related authorities to limit these dangers.

In an interview with Al-Mururiya, he spoke about many issues related to traffic problems, especially congestions and lack of parking places at the university, as well as curricula and the importance of raising awareness in this field.

Dr. Al-Tabtabaei: GroupDr. Al-Tabtabaei: Group transportation the besttransportation the best

solution for trafficsolution for traffic

Stressed in an interview with “Al-Mururiya” the importance of awareness in countering traffic issues


Family, schools monitor children’s behaviorA daily concern

To begin with, Al-Tabtabaei said the ministry took into consideration when placing educational plans and strategies the importance of social issues that students have to be introduced to as being effective members of the society. Social preparation in schools is extremely important, he said, and the ministry seeks to improve its systems to gain comprehensive character building of students to allow them to take their place in the society and solve its problems, as well as to keep up with the latest updates and utilize them in the best way.He described the traffic problem as being “a daily concern” as it was directly linked to daily practices of citizens and

expatriates, saying traffic issues were a part of the ministry’s programs and curricula.Increasing traffic is negatively affecting the society as money, effort and time was wasted instead of being used for better purposes, he said, adding that traffic was a heavy price being paid by Kuwaitis, as was the case with many flourishing societies. The situation at hand required courage and a knowledgeable social vision to place public interest above all else. The ministry seeks for students to be strong,

humble, and able to bear responsibilities and interact positively at all levels.The minister noted that the religion of Islam promoted positive behavior, stressing the need to employ car pooling as was the case in

advanced countries as this was a reflection

Traffic curriculum under constant

evaluation


Abiding by traffic laws is Islamic, civil conduct

of awareness and a keenness for national interests.

Directions and monitoring

Al-Tabtabaei said education institutions were keen on instilling in students respect for laws and regulations and to practice behaviors that protected people from harm, and this in turn created good and reliable citizens. The ministry also has a student monitoring system for the transportation of kindergarten and elementary school students which follows up on their behaviors and interacts with their parents, he said. He noted the unsuitable behavior of some students while on board school buses, which required constant supervision and guidance to overcome.

Requests and traffic

On traffic congestions at the beginning of school semesters with the purchase of school

equipment and stationary, the minister said the ministry tried not to burden parents too much and attempted to place certain restrictions on the sizes of note books and equipment as this was no longer up to teachers to decide. He noted that school uniform was known and there were no surprises where it was concerned. Al-Tabtabaei said a list of school requirements could be given to students at the end of the year to give parents ample time to purchase them before school started. He noted traffic jams at schools, especially at the end of the day, saying the only way to curb this was through car pooling.

School curricula

The minister said traffic curricula focused on a number of traffic issues and proposed solutions, saying high school students took the course as they did many other life skills’ subjects because it prepared them for taking up their social roles. This, he added, was a good time to put to use


Education Ministry accords interest to distinctive students, encourages

their desire to drive cars and teach them the traffic values they need to know.

He stressed that awareness had to be spread through educational programs and also in Islamic education, Arabic, and social studies’ classes, and also promoted through student activities. The ministry, he said, was keen on evaluating efforts in this area.

Al-Tabtabaei also said the ministry encouraged distinctive students who excelled over their peers in different fields and sought to train them on principles of research and study in different problems they faced in their daily lives. Such experiences were greatly beneficial for students and reinforced positive aspects related to traffic issues.

Road bumps and buses

Moreover, he said placing road bumps at schools was the responsibility of the traffic department which could determine suitable locations for their placement, saying this ensured the reduction of speech and at the same time did not damage cars.

He said that at the university there was a real traffic problem and that to overcome congestions, students needed to car pool and use buses to move from one college to the other.

Research and studies

As for issuing tickets to university students, Al-Tabtabaei said that under the current circumstances, the parking problem would continue, but said plans for the new campus in Shidadiya would include multi-storey

parking to help overcome this problem.

He noted that trafficawareness and knowledge could be promoted through school radio, press, and drama activities, which put together the GCC Traffic Week and International Traffic Day celebrations.

The minister said briefing youth on different aspects of the traffic problem and preparing them psychologically was a must, adding that comparative research needed to be conducted between Kuwait and other countries in relation to traffic issues. Analysis of statistics helps in arriving at suitable solutions, he noted.

The minister called on readers of Al-Mururiya to adhere to traffic laws and regulations and to abide by Islamic conduct and follow teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).


Lieut-General Al-Othman formsLieut-General Al-Othman forms judging panel for sciencejudging panel for science

competitioncompetition

Under the ausp ices o f HTC

KD 250 for Kuwait’s model driversKD 250 for Kuwait’s model drivers

Upon a decision by First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the Higher Traffic Council’s (HTC) scientific research competition, Interior Undersecretary and HTC Chairman Lieutenant-General Nasser Al-Othman formed a committee grouping Kuwait University professors to judge submitted papers. These were prepared by researchers interested in Kuwait’s traffic issue. The committee groups Dr. Jassem Al-

Ali, Dr. Mohammad Al-Khazami, and Dr. Abdullah Sahar.

Prizes for the competition come in three categories with KD 1,000 for first place in each, KD 750 for second place, and KD 500 for third place. A total of 19 researches were submitted, and winners will be announced as soon as the panel makes its final decision.

For his part, HTC’s Secretary Colonel Dr. Abdullah Al-Traiji commended all participants for their efforts and hoped more people would take part in coming years.

Out of belief in the importance of abiding

by traffic regulations and refraining from

bad conduct on roads, HTC allocated a

bi-annual reward for model drivers. This

is the first such initiative and is aimed at

highlighting Kuwait’s civilized image.

Upon orders of Interior Undersecretary

and HTC Chairman, awards would be

given to drivers holding public or private

licenses of all nationalities. Prizes would

be awarded in three age groups: 18-25,

26-36, and 37 and above.

Each prize is worth KD 250 and winners’

names are to be announced in local media

and on HTC’s website during the GCC

Traffic Week celebrations. Some 1,227

drivers have applied, of whom Kuwaitis

account for 52%.

HTC hoped the number of participants

would increase in coming years and that

all drivers would adhere to traffic safety

regulations


Floating bridge over Dubai CreekFloating bridge over Dubai Creek

Traffic Open Day Girl scouts at Girl scouts at Zat Al-SawariZat Al-SawariElementary SchoolElementary School

Out of the Higher Traffic Council’s (HTC) belief in the importance of spreading traffic awareness and culture, HTC held - in cooperation with the Interior Ministry’s public relations and moral guidance department and the participation of rally champion Mishaal Al-Nejadi – an open traffic day at Ishbilya Elementary School in Kaifan. The open day was attended by many Education Ministry officials and girl scouts put on a play on this occasion. This was followed by a lecture delivered by HTC representatives, including a presentation which was much appreciated by the students. A car and motorcycle exhibition was then held, including police cars. The children explored features of the police car and compared it with normal vehicles.

Meanwhile, HTC Secretariat received at its headquarters in Shuwaikh the girl scouts of Al-Sawari Elementary School, who toured the building and were briefed on the functions and role of HTC in spreading traffic awareness at all levels. The girls competed at drawing the best picture on the reality of traffic, and all were extremely expressive. They were given commemorative gifts on this occasion.

Dubai continually tries

to keep up with the

UAE’s development and

growth, especially in

terms of infrastructure and

guaranteeing smooth traffic

flow. To ensure this, studies

are conducted to find the best means to

improve transportation and to benefit from

international engineering solutions for traffic

jams.

UAE’s Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler

of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-

Maktoum approved the project for the country’s

first floating bridge over Dubai Creek. The

project comes to accommodate

population growth and the

great increase in vehicles. The

problem is especially evident

during festivals and events that

attract thousands of visitors to

the city.

The bridge consists of hollow concrete moulds

that float on the water. The mobile part of the

bridge is lifted and lowered every 20 minutes

– exact times will be allocated in coordination

with authorities regulating maritime transit

through the creek. Thus, ships can sail through,

while ferries can flow by the bridge without

the need to lift it.


Al-Qallaf regrets not Al-Qallaf regrets not using seatbeltusing seatbelt

Speed and failing to abide by safety and security regulations can lead to an accident that brings a whole family to

the hospital to nurse its son, a high school student who will not only fall behind in his studies, but also keep his

parents from their work. The family tends to this bed-ridden boy at Al-Razi Orthopedic Hospital in shifts after the

car accident he and his brother were involved in while on their way to the aquarium. Eid passed, and instead of

enjoying it, family members continue to come to the hospital and had to shift their gatherings to that location.

Al-Mururiya met with Ali Abbas Al-Qallaf and some of his relatives, including his mother

who refuses to leave his side. This is an account of what took place:

A crash

Lying on the hospital bed, and in a broken voice, Ali recounted details of the horrific accident, “We were on Independence Road, on our way

to the aquarium, when suddenly a car swerved into our lane and bumped into us. Our car lost balance because my brother was

speeding over 120 km/h. He couldn’t control the car and we struck the concrete side barrier. The vehicle flipped five times and I found myself thrown outside on the gravel with my

brother trying to help me.”

In a mixer

He went on to say, “When we first got into the car, my brother asked me to put the seatbelt on, but I didn’t care. I thought I was too old to use it and that it couldn’t possibly do me any good. My brother asked me to put it on again, but I was not used to wearing it. I had no idea we were about to be involved in an accident. My body was thrown right and left inside the car as if I was in a mixer because I didn’t have my seatbelt on. When my brother, who

escaped injury, came to my aid, I realized just how important the seatbelt is – it prevented him from

being thrown out of the car and protected him from the shock caused by the crash into the concrete barrier. My brother escaped unscathed,


but I suffered two fractures to the thigh bone and four in the pelvis. I was also cut in the head and body, and the pain and psychological suffering have kept me from my studies and sitting my exams. I also lost out on having fun with my friends during Eid. My family is burdened with having to be with me here all the time.”

On alert

As for the damage to the family, a third brother said, “When we got the news we were instantly on a state of alert. We called all hospitals. When we located them, Ali was in a coma and his face and clothes were covered in blood. My other brother was unharmed.”

He added, “We made sure they were safe and thanked Allah the situation was not worse, but we wished it hadn’t happened. If Ali had had his seatbelt on he might have sustained less injury and would not have suffered this physical and psychological pain.”

More awareness

Abdullah Al-Qallaf, the eldest brother, said the seatbelt protected passengers and reduced injury when in an accident. His opinion? “Looking at the car, the damage is not great. The problem was Ali did not have

his seatbelt on and was thrown out of the car, thus sustaining fractures.”

After viewing the condition of patients at the hospital, Abdullah said, “Social workers need to work on raising awareness with regard to traffic issues and visit these patients because lack of awareness of safety regulations is the common factor in most accidents. Lack of psychological counseling can also delay a patient’s recovery, and thus steps have to be taken to overcome this problem.”

Ali’s mother has been by her son’s side all along, and her only words were, “I thank Allah for his safety.” She feels her son’s pain and has left her home and children to tend to his needs.

Children’s mistakes are born by fathers once and by mothers time and time again. Be kind to your parents by taking care of yourselves.


““your alertness is the key to your safetyyour alertness is the key to your safety””This year's traffic week held under the slogan

In a few days, Kuwait will celebrate the traffic week of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in March of every year during which delegations from Gulf states exchanged visits.

The first GCC traffic week was held upon a recommendation of directors of GCC traffic departments in their f irst meeting in Sharjah, UAE, on April 4, 1984. They agreed the first week would be on April 24, 1984, and after that each week has been allocated a slogan.

What do you know about the GCC traffic week?

A GCC eventThe GCC traffic week is a regional event

where delegations exchange visits and

expertise, as well as ideas on how to

overcome the different aspects of the traffic

problem, especially as it is a main concern

of all those interested in preserving human

and material resources. Perhaps traffic

awareness is what we most need, not only

because of the increasing accidents and

related deaths, but because man is the major

factor contributing to their occurrence.

Creating an aware citizen who practices

good conduct can spare thousands of hours

of effort, millions of dinars, and thousands

of able bodies that go to waste.

How the slogan is chosenThe slogans are chosen based on the

current traffic problem faced by the GCC,

and because these problems affect the

society, these traffic weeks have an effect


on the long run. The slogan touches the very

essence of the reality we live, and the week

is one aimed at spreading awareness and not

writing out traffic tickets.

Aim of holding the traffic weekThere are many goals the GCC states seek to

achieve through the traffic week, including

finding solutions for problems, consolidating

relations and cooperation among GCC

citizens, and placing a unified GCC strategy,

as well as crating a well-aware and cautious

driver that deals calmly with traffic situations

and respects laws and regulations.

Symbols and meaningsSince its launch in 1984, we have adopted 23

slogans for the traffic week, including this

year’s slogan, and these must be highlighted

for a better understanding of their meanings

and symbols:

“Seatbelt”… chosen in 1984 to highlight the

importance of the seatbelt in protecting the

driver and passengers from severe injuries

when involved in accidents.

“Pedestrians”… this was the slogan for 1985

and comes to reflect how important it is for

them to cross at designated places and to pay

close attention to traffic while doing so.

“No speeding”… this came in 1986 to show

how speeding was a main reason behind traffic

accidents. All countries seek to control this

by installing cameras and speeding radars.

“Meanings of road lines”… this was used in

1987 to emphasize the need to be aware of

My brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians...On the occasion of the GCC traffic week, coinciding March 17, I would like to present you with these words with the hope that they will touch your minds before reaching your ears. This is the 23rd traffic week that we hold and this year it is under the slogan “your alertness is the key to your safety”. Over the past 25 years, thousands of innocent souls were lost to tragic accidents, and hundreds of thousands were left with serious handicaps and injuries.The GCC has born great financial and economic damage as a result, and vehicles have turned into a tool for killing and suicide and a means through which we lose our loved ones. This compels us to take a serious stop and realize the real danger that stares us in the face every time we are on the road. We must learn from the current traffic situation and realize the goal behind holding the traffic week and the choice of its slogans. We need to adopt correct driving methods which guarantee our safety and that of our loved ones. Driving is the art of using the vehicle and employing good traffic behavior when driving, and we must pay attention in order to maintain the safety of all.Policemen, especially, spare no effort in making sure traffic flows and roads are safe, and we must all help in reaching this goal. May you all be safe.

Lieutenant General Nasser Ahmad Al-Othman

Speech of Chairmanof the Higher Traffic Council

on the GCC traffic week


the meaning of the different road lines.

“Pay attention to the road”… the slogan

was adopted in 1988 as it is well-known

to all that traffic accidents take place

within a fraction of a second if the driver

is distracted.

“Vehicle safety”… out of the need for

maintaining vehicles and the dangerous

effect that cars whose drivers neglected to

maintain had on the road, this slogan was

chosen in 1989.

“Children’s traffic safety”… children are our

future and they must be cared for, and thus

this was chosen as the slogan for 1990.

“Driving without accidents”… we were

seeking to create a utopia where everyone

was safe on the roads, so this became our

slogan for 1992.

“Traffic safety… a demand and goal”…

this is the 1993 slogan and came in light

of deadly accidents that were casting their

shadows on every house.

“Defensive driving”… this is the means

for a driver to protect himself from road

dangers, and so we chose this for a slogan

in 1994.

“Speeding kills”… this slogan was chosen

in 1995 to emphasize the daily bloodshed

we witness.

“Pedestrian safety is the responsibility

of all”… because of the many accidents

pedestrians are involved in, this was

selected as the 1996 slogan.

“Running a red light is gravely dangerous”…

this was the slogan for 1997 to highlight

the importance of these traffic lights at

intersection and that their main function

was to safely regulate traffic movement.

“Do not put out your child’s smile out with an

accident”… this came to reflect the devastating

effects that traffic accidents had on children,

and the slogan was adopted in 1998.

“Your safety is in the safety of our traffic

environment”… this

was the slogan for 1999

and explained the traffic

environment consisted of

road lines, traffic signs, and

traffic signals.

“Beware of road hazards”…

this was to note the danger of

sudden swerving or stopping,

among other things, and was

used in 2000.


“For a traffic-aware generation”…

this came in 2001 to show that many

problems could be avoided with more

awareness.

“Give the road its rights”… this

slogan for 2002 stressed the need

to respect the rights of others on the

road.

“Traffic regulations guarantee

safety… a fact”… respecting traffic

laws and regulations is imperative,

and thus the slogan was chosen in

2003.

“Traffic safety is the responsibility

of us all”… this came in 2004 and

sought to make people aware that

they were all responsible for making

roads a safer place.

“Your driving is an indication of your

conduct”… this came to reaffirm the

need for good driving conduct and

was used in 2005.

“Commitment is the way to safety”…

commitment is a way of life in all

aspects, and traffic issues are no

different, which is why this slogan

was selected for 2006.

“Your alertness is the key to your

safety”… this is the slogan we have

chosen this year for the week that will

fall March 17, because not paying

attention to the road can be the cause

of a grave accident.

The importance of avoiding traffic accidents

Colonel Dr.Abdullah Mohammad Al-Traiji

E-mail: [email protected]

Of all dangers and problems facing countries of the world these days, the traffic problem remains in the forefront.And despite all the different aspects of this traffic problem that we see depicted every day in cities – the chocking congestions that come with the tremendous increase in the number of cars, and the subsequence noise and air pollution – what we are most concerned with is the casualties, injuries, and property damage. This can reach difficult stages in some countries, and costs us our children – the human resource that is so difficult to compensate – and thus it is important to avoid traffic accidents and save our countries and Arab peoples from resulting tragedies.In reality, there is no doubt that the human factor remains fundamental in traffic accidents and is responsible for the lives claimed and the people that fall victims. This is why the focus must be on this aspect through promoting awareness on how decisive the human factor is in the occurrence of accidents and the need to avoid them. We must bear in mind that driving has its principles and their negligence can easily lead to a catastrophe. Perhaps the thing we need to pay most attention to is caution and alertness when driving; statistics have shown that lack of attention is the cause behind many traffic accidents.Being alert while driving means the driver must focus all attention on the task at hand, and to maintain speed within reasonable limits and keeping eyes on the road. A driver must not engage in talk with other passengers or use the mobile phone.Another thing we have to caution against here is driving while tired or fatigued. Many deadly traffic accidents were caused by this, and some drivers fall asleep while at the wheel from exhaustion.Drivers must also be cautious of other drivers, as there are many cars on the street and alertness in many cases can prevent accidents by other drivers that drive recklessly or violate regulations, or others who are not alert.Another important reason why we should be alert is to avoid endangering pedestrians, and many pedestrians are involved in accidents out of their own lack of abidance with traffic laws. Paying attention to the road also helps us recognize road crossings and signs, and also helps us realize hole or bumps are ahead – these can also cause accidents.All of this clearly indicates that alertness and caution are an important aspect in traffic safety, and when driving is coupled with paying attention to the road, the roads are safer.


GCC traffic week for exchangingGCC traffic week for exchangingexpertise, informationexpertise, information

Traffic issue is global

Habiba: Awareness methods haven’t changed, must reevaluate celebrations

The GCC is holding its traffic week which

includes many activities aimed at promoting

principles represented by the chosen slogan and

during which delegations exchange expertise

and information on road safety.

Al-Mururiya met with several people to

better understand how they viewed this event,

especially as traffic issues have become global

and are being accorded attention on the official

and popular levels.

AwarenessHabiba Ahmad said methods for spreading

awareness on traffic issues were incapable of

affecting the public, and there was nothing

new in terms of communication. She noted

the importance of the psychological aspect

in preventing traffic accidents which no one

discussed, calling

for focusing on

mothers and their

role in educating

their children. She

wondered whether

these celebrations

were being evaluated

by traffic officials.

Civil society organizations

As for Nawaf Al-

Khaldi, he said the traffic week was a good

event and came in the service of Gulf societies

as it was on an issue of life and death on the

road. Every year there is a new slogan holding

an important message, but where is the role of

civil society organizations and especially the

society for protection against traffic accidents

which has not been active in a while? He called

on civil societies to interact with the Interior

Ministry to emphasize the importance of this

week and to implement its principles and

slogans.

Traffic conditionsFor his part, Ahmad Al-Khamees said traffic

conditions in the GCC were similar and efforts

had to consolidate to place a joint mechanism

that prevented tragedies on the road and


Nawaf: What is the role of the society for protection against traffic accidents?

Al-Khamees: Street ads a reason behind accidents

highlighted the need for caution while driving.

He noted that road ads were a distraction and

led to accidents in many cases.

Educational roleMeanwhile, Reem Al-Houti said traffic week

shouldn>t be limited to the traffic department

but should extend to the ministries of education,

social affairs, and Islamic affairs because they

each had a role to play in countering traffic

problems. She stressed that consolidating efforts

would be beneficial even for children, noting

the role of mosques and religious institutions in

promoting good principles and conduct.

Educational contestsBader Nasser said traffic contests were

important as questions would focus on issues

that needed to be highlighted. Valuable prizes

had to be allocated and questions placed by

judicial and psychology experts. He hoped

recommendations would be issued to effectively

implement slogans of the traffic week.

Media interviewsAlso, Muayyed Ahmad said conducting radio,

television, and newspaper interviews with

victims of traffic accidents, especially those with

permanent disabilities, would highlight how

their accidents occurred and how they could be

avoided. Similar interviews could be held with

their parents to provide advice and guidance.

Unrealized goalAs for Madina Ismael, she said the traffic week

had not realized the goals for which it was held

despite the many diverse activities because

slogans were forgotten soon after the week

was over. She called for implementing these

slogans all year round and for there to be traffic

personnel on all streets all year round.

Speaking carWaleed Al-Saqabi said that in a previous traffic

week, a car was displayed and «told» the story

of the accident that it was involved in. He said

such interactive presentations were welcomed

and had a positive impact on people.

Moreover, he called for the implementation of

law on all without distinction and for this to be

a deterrent for the reckless.

Abidance is the way to safetyFinally, Ashwaq Al-Saleh said abiding by good

road conduct eliminated traffic problems, noting

that traffic security was the responsibility of all

and each of us had a role to play in instilling

safety principles. She pointed out that the GCC

traffic week increased bonding among member

states, saying more seminars and lectures were

needed in traffic issues.


University students and traffic weekUniversity students and traffic week69% of KU students don’t know anything traffic week

Al-Osaimi: Traffic week a form of GCC cooperation

Al-Otaibi: After the week, everyone goes back to their former ways

Salem Al-Mutairi: More traffic tickets during traffic week

University Student and traffic weekAs with every year, countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hold the Traffic Week in March, and specialized committees are formed to prepare for the event.No matter what slogan is adopted for this week, it is considered an occasion to connect with the public to raise traffic awareness in drivers and motorcyclists through lectures, seminars, and exhibitions. However, many citizens and expatriates are not aware of this event that the Interior Ministry and policemen exert great efforts to organize. There are youth who fail to recall which month the week is held and what its aims are. Al-Mururiya toured Kuwait University to find out just what students knew about the GCC Traffic Week.

GCC cooperationWe began with Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi from the faculty of science, who said, “Traffic week is held in March of ever year to discuss traffic issues and is considered a form of cooperation among GCC states.” He welcomed the idea of holding such an event, saying it was a rare opportunity to portray the moral and material affects of violating traffic laws. He stressed the need to focus on children and youth. “The week is important and its benefits have slowly started to show. Focus must be on drivers and the need to concentrate on the road so as to avoid accidents.”

Back to former waysOn the contrary, we met with Marian Al-Otaibi from the girls’ college, who said, “I honestly don’t see the point behind the traffic week. It is absurd

to designate a single week to highlighting the need for abiding by traffic laws. What do we do the rest of the year? Return to our former ways? There are policemen who themselves do not follow traffic regulations all year round.” She wondered why the Interior Ministry had no significant role the remainder of the year, and why attention was limited to a single week every year.

Environmental pollutionFor her part, Farah Mohammad stressed the importance of the traffic week and the lectures, programs, and intensive traffic campaigns that are carried out to limit speeding and lack of abidance by regulations, as well as to remind all sects of the society on then

need to ensure road safety. As for her suggestions on the traffic week, she said, “Citizens and expatriates must be informed through ads, seminars, and exhibitions on environmental pollution caused by vehicles and to exert efforts to put

an end to this phenomena,” she said.

Bad media coverageNasser Al-Ajmi, a student at the social studies college, said simply that he did not know anything about the traffic week and didn’t know when it was held. He asked, “Is there really a traffic week in Kuwait? If this is true then it is the fault of bad media coverage.”

Targeted group Through her experience and participation in last year’s traffic week events, Haifa Al-Enizi from the college of arts said the week was a means for connection


AbdelRahman Al-Osimi

Mohammad AlMutairi

Haifa Al-Enizi

Salem AlMutairi

Farah & Manal

Al-Ajmi: Is there really a traffic week in Kuwait?

Al-Enizi: Must focus on university and school students

between traffic authorities and the society with the aim of raising awareness in drivers through seminars and exhibitions. She noted that policemen visited schools and universities to give lectures to youth on the importance of remaining within speeding limits and abiding by laws and regulations. She also said traffic programs during this week mainly targeted school and university students.

Be my friendFor his part, Salem Al-Mutairi from the college of engineering and petroleum said policemen wrote out more traffic tickets during the traffic week, especially against youth. He criticized this and hoped policemen would be the friend of citizens. He commended the traffic week and its contribution to increasing traffic safety and reducing accidents that wasted human resources, the number one requirement for human development.

A suggestionA utopian suggestion came from arts student Manal Al-Qadhi, who said, “I suggest the Interior Ministry prevents policemen during this week from writing out tickets and that all cameras are

disabled.” She called for more intensive awareness campaigns and to highlight the importance of using the seatbelt while driving.

Safety for allAs for Mohammad Al-Mutairi, he said implementation of traffic regulations had to be unbiased with no discrimination based on the person’s background or social status. He said one week a year was not enough and that there should be a traffic year to achieve maximum benefit. He thanked Interior Ministry officials and policemen for their efforts in making roads safer or us all.

Traffic pollAl-Mururiya conducted a poll to better reflect just how much university students knew about the traffic week. It showed that out of a random population of both genders in different colleges, 31% of surveyed students had heard of the traffic week and 69% had never heard of it. Asked when the traffic week was held, 50% said they didn’t know, 26% said it was held in March, while 12% said it was held in other months, while 12% said it was held in the all the year.

When the GCC traffic week hold?

They dont know when

Said it was held in march

Said it was held all the year

Said it was held in Other monthes

Did you ever heard about the GCC traffic week?

Yes

No


Children’s size and weight determine type of car seat

Many parents are not aware of safety needs for

their children while in the car, and some child

injuries are directly the result of not taking into

account their small size and the need to secure

them into a seat to protect them against collisions

and sudden breaking. The chances of a child

escaping harm while in a car crash is much greater

if they are seated in a suitable child car seat or seat

booster. Using these seats is better than placing

them directly on regular car seats or on a parent’s

lap. There is a misperception that a parent’s lap

is safer for the child, when it is in fact distracting

and can itself be the cause of accidents.

Good protection choices

Special car seats for children provide better

protection, especially for small-sized children

for whom regular seatbelts are not suitable.

However, incorrect usage of these seats greatly

reduces their efficiency in providing protection.

Such a seat must be chosen carefully and be

suitable for both the child’s size and the place

where it will be installed in the car. In two-seater

cars, for example, some child seats may not be

designed to be safe for usage in the front seat.

Also, seats must be securely fastened using

regular seatbelts. Moreover, child car seats can

get very hot when a car is left in the sun for a long

time, and thus must be checked before putting a

child in them. When the seat is not being used, it

must be stored correctly or securely fastened to

avoid it falling forward during sudden breaking.

Seat positioning

Suitable seat position depends on the child’s size

and weight. For newly-borns and children under

the age of one, the seat is installed in the back

seat with the child facing the back of the car. This

is to avoid damage to the neck and spinal cord

in the event of sudden breaking. Babies must

never be placed in the front seat because airbag


Our children and traffic safetyOur children and traffic safety

Inco r rec t ch i ld sea t u sage r educes e ff i c i ency

Cor rec t s ea t i n s t a l l a t ionpreven t s ch i ld in ju r i e s

23Issue NoÆ 5 March 2007 23Issue NoÆ 5 March 2007

inflation can cause suffocation and death. In

the case of a two-seater, the child is placed in

the front seat and the airbags are deactivated.

Age factor

As for children between one and three years,

they must be put in chairs suitable for their

size. Those chairs must be fastened using the

original seatbelts of the car. The child seats

safety belt must be against the child’s chest, but

not too tightly.

For children between three and eight years of

age, a seat booster is used in conjunction with

the car’s regular seatbelt, making sure the belt

crosses the child’s chest from shoulder to hip.

From ages eight to ten, a child is seated on

the regular seat and uses the seatbelt, making

sure the belt is not too close to the neck. At

ten, children can sit in the front seat, but it is

preferable that they sit in the back for their own

safety.

Conclusion

Always remember that whether the trip is long

or short, child safety must remain a priority.

Children are always safer in the backseat and

seatbelts are vital in protecting them against

dangers of the road.

Length of trip does not change affect importance of child safety

Backseat protects child from road dangers


Major Factors Contributing to Traffic Accidents

(Part Three)

Traffic accidents are among the society’s most important issues, and researchers have tried to look into their causes and motives and how to limit this destructive phenomenon. Studies have dealt with drivers, roads, and vehicles and others explored the different road users - drivers, pedestrians, and passengers.In the coming pages, we will present you with Dr Mohammad Al-Nabulsi’s study on “How traffic accidents destroy psychological defenses” which he presented at the GCC Traffic Accident Conference hosted by Kuwait. In the study, Al-Nabulsi explains psychological aspects that raise the possibility of accident occurrence. Such a diagnosis gives several indications and one cannot differentiate between temporary psychological disturbances, those that coincide with phases of life, and those that come as a reaction to something else. The role these psychological aspects play in traffic accidents cannot be overlooked, and they can also occur together. The researcher calls for incorporating

information on these psychological indications in awareness campaigns to reduce the dangers of traffic accidents.

Health limitations The researcher said most studies conducted in the past on defensive optimism were limited to boosting precautionary health incentives and obliterating negative consequences of failing to take these measures by convincing one’s self that other people, and not the person, are the ones subjected to dangers. One study concluded a person was incapable of realizing danger if he or she failed to understand the type of danger and its consequences. Thus, it is important to highlight dangers and raise awareness in this area. Another study warns of the “Monte Carlo fault”, where a winner thinks his chances of winning again are reduced after winning. This is incorrect because chances remain theoretical regardless of the number of wins and losses.

Traffic accidents distort psychological defensesTraffic accidents distort psychological defenses

Part 1 of 2Part 1 of 2


Awareness of dangers, boosting abilities first step toward prevention

Some psychological aspects raise probability of traffic accidentsThe same applies for catastrophes, where being involved in one does not reduce the chances of being involved in another later on.Some studies linked defensive optimism and the relationship between self-efficiency and forecasting results. This relationship was studied for 15 years and built on former researches on defensive optimism, whereby it was transformed from a concept of inability to defend ourselves from diseases into defense against all life-threatening dangers, including traffic accidents.

Application on traffic accidents Al-Nabulsi said traffic accidents were an example of any accident that could lead to death due to lack of precaution, including work accidents and being in critical situations; this could be caused by lack of knowledge as to necessary precautions, recklessness, or even a subconscious desire to confront danger.If we look at the role of speeding in traffic accidents, we could get three answers as to whether speeding played a role in accidents: I don’t know; speeding rarely causes traffic accidents; and a person rarely thinks they could be involved in an accident. However, it is important that we remind people of the possibility of the occurrence of traffic accidents, because regardless of the causes, realizing that there is a life-threatening danger is the first step toward realizing danger and working to avoid it.It has been noticed that the reaction of drivers involved in traffic accidents is defensive, and

this is linked to psychological aspects that must be identified in order to place precautionary policies for psychological treatment of victims of traffic accidents, as well as involved drivers.

Boosting awareness and abilities Al-Nabulsi said the precautionary rule was based in boosting the ability to identify life-threatening dangers, because it is this realization that allows us to change our ways and curb tendencies toward wrongful conduct. Thus the first step is for a person to realize that


one is subjected to dangers, but not to allow this to become a paranoiac behavior. The aim is to transform defensive optimism into functional optimism that relies on proper precautionary behavior. Health studies have shown that realizing the possibility of contracting a disease delays its onset, because this realization leads to greater alertness and care. People, it seems, only practice “proper” precautionary behavior when they realize the seriousness of the danger that threatens them. The researcher noted it was almost as difficult to spread health awareness as it was to raise traffic awareness. Thus, it is useful to employ preventative health experiences in campaigns aimed at lowering the number of traffic accident victims.Al-Nabulsi reiterated the effectiveness of the raising the level of seriousness shown by the targeted group; coupling this serious realization with illusions on the wide-spread of the phenomenon must be avoided. This is a mistake that many people who work with addicts fall for; studies show the public do not deal with a dangerous disease seriously enough because of the outbreak itself and the large risk of contraction become a form of solace to people.

Obstacles facing preventative campaigns Al-Nabulsi cited as an example smokers who suffer a stroke. These, he said, stop smoking

in the first two months after the stroke, but between a third and half of them go back to smoking six months later.He asked this question: Why don’t people seek to seriously and effectively eliminate the chances of being subjected to danger,

especially when personal experience is the best means to break the barrier of ignorance? The answer to this question, he said, would ease preventative efforts, but it was unfortunately not available. He assumed that personal experience in facing danger reduced defensive optimism but did not eliminate it. Thus, the level of precaution can be classified according to the level of awareness, which is as follows:- total ignorance of danger- realizing danger but ruling out self-infliction- awareness of preventative measures without abidance- abiding by preventative

measures transforms optimism from defensive to functional after reinforcing self-efficiency

But what are the factors leading to traffic accidents? What is the possibility of these coinciding? How much do they contribute to traffic accident? Pinpointing these facts is a must to understand the types of danger and avoiding them, and thus acquire correct traffic conduct. The answers to these will be in our next issue.


Technology of traffic safetyTechnology of traffic safetyTechnology stops at no boundaries, and with

the rise of sun every day, industries present

us with something new. The car industry

is no different, and manufacturers compete

to attract as many customers as they can.

Factories this time seem to be ready to

make many sacrifices for passenger safety

and that of pedestrians, and new vehicles

with safety features are being offers.

Crumple zonesCrash bumpers are now able to crumple in

order to absorb the shock of the collision and

provide maximum protection for passengers.

However, behind these plastic parts is a

layer of steel attached to two springs that are

pushed up to 8 cm back and serve to protect

the fuel tank from being hit.

Engine bonnetsTo reduce the impact on pedestrians, many

manufacturers have installed moving bonnets

made from fiberglass to make the crash as soft

as possible. It works in very much the way that

the mattress does. There is at least 8 cm between

the engine and the bonnet for greater safety.

Driving wheelThe driving wheel now plays a role in

lessening the extent of injury of the driver

in the case of a crash, where many now

can move in and up away from the drivers

ribcage.

Side protectionThe use of light material in manufacturing

cars is positive in many ways, including

efficient fuel consumption, but these may not

always provide the required protection for

passengers. This is why steel bars are installed

inside doorframes for added safety.

Fixed engine and gearIn many accidents, the engine is seen

separated from the vehicle, which has

raised doubts over the issue. Manufacturers

are now using new techniques to fasten the

engine and gear in a fashion that allows for

the collapse of the fastening system in the

case of severe collisions, upon which the

engine and gear slide under the vehicle and

away from passengers.

It seems that traffic safety technology has

become an issue for testing and research

because of the many accidents and death

we see on the streets. We are still waiting,

however, for the world of technology to create

a completely safe traffic environment.

Issue NoÆ 5 March 20072828 2007 ”—U f U)« œb??F «

License PlatesLicense plates present one of the most

important methods for identifying the

vehicle’s owner by policemen, and are

a form of identity that sets the car apart

from others. This is why article eight of

the Kuwaiti traffic law stipulates that

each car must carry two metal license

plates issued by the traffic department

upon licensing of the vehicle; one plate

is placed at the front of the car and the

other is placed in the rear.

These plates must always be clear and

visible so as to be easily read at all times,

and they must be fixed in the allocated

place and only on the car for which they

were issued. It is prohibited to change

the plates, tamper with them, or distort

their shape. The Interior Ministry is

responsible for issuing decisions on

the shape and standards of the license

plates.

These plates are state property, and are

issued upon payment of a certain fee.

There are difference plate categories:

1 – Amiri Diwan: for vehicles belonging

to the Amiri Diwan

2 – Government: for vehicles owned by

the government

3 – Private: issued for private cars,

private buses, tourism vehicles,

private group transport vehicles,

private trucks, cars for private use,

private motorcycles

4 – Diplomatic Corps: issued for

members of foreign diplomatic

missions

5 – Public: issued for taxis, public

transportation buses, vehicles for

transporting materials and animals,

and towing cars

6 – Commercial: issued for cars stipulated

by law to fall in this category

7 – Motorcycle: issued for motorcycles

8 – Construction: issued for construction,

industrial, and agricultural vehicles

9 – Export: issued for cars that will be

exported out of the country and are

valid for 48 hours. They are removed

as soon as the car leaves the country

and are handed in at the borders.

29Issue NoÆ 5 March 2007 292007 ”—U f U)« œb??F «

This page is dedicated to our dear readers’ questions and comments. We welcome your contributions, which can be sent to our e-mail or mailing address noted on the contents page.

Questions from HTC’s second traffic contest entitled

“Discipline Guarantees Safety”Question Two: The vehicle owner must notify traffic

authorities in writing of any change in address within ….

days of making this change.

a – 7 days b – 5 days c – 10 days

Q: I am an Egyptian working as an accountant with a KD 250 salary. Can I obtain a driver’s license?- Ahmad Jamal ShaheenA: One condition for issuing a driver’s licenses, valid for the two-year residency permit, is a minimum salary of KD 400. For full conditions, visit our website.

Q: I congratulate you on the great website

and I would like to know where to obtain

books on traffic issues, especially roads

in Kuwait, so as to participate in the

research competition the Higher Traffic

Council announced. Are there Interior

Ministry references that citizens can go

through? Thank you- Ghadeer

A: The Higher Traffic Council has

its own library with lots of books

and references that you can go

through and it is open to the public

during regular working hours at our

location in Shuwaikh B – Block 2

– Street 20.

Q: I would like to congratulate

you on this publication which

helps spread traffic awareness in

the Kuwaiti society. I would like

to know how to contribute to the

magazine. Thank you.

- Mishaal Abdullah

A: We thank you for your letter and

all contributions that serve to raise

traffic awareness and promote traffic

culture are welcomed. Thank you.

Q: Greetings to all those working at the Higher Traffic Council. I would like to ask if there is a special license for the military.- Sayer HammadA: We thank you for posing this question. Article 15 of the traffic law stipulates that no vehicle can be used on the roads without licensing from the traffic department allowing its driver to do so.

By-laws show the types of licenses and conditions for issuance, as well as validity and renewal, fees, annulment, rejecting applications and exemptions.Exemptions include the following: 1 – Holders of licenses for operating military vehicles, which are issued after testing. This allows for the operation of military vehicles only.2 – Visitors and tourists with valid foreign licenses.E

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Traffic issues are fundamental both at the daily level and at the level of Kuwait’s strategies and those

of other countries of the world. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah declared

the state’s strategy was to transform it into a regional finance and investment center, a visionary

decision through which he sought to prepare the country for challenges of the post-oil era which

requires the development of the sectors of investment, finance, and human resources. To make this

vision true, the country needs to be more open in terms of its finance and investment sectors, which

is why Kuwait and many GCC states are signing free trade agreements with Asian and European

countries. However, economic growth depends greatly on the ease with which one can move within

the country, which means we need real reforms in the transportation and traffic sectors to guarantee

easy and safe movement for citizens and expatriates.

Traffic challenges also reflect the common daily concern of citizens and expatriates, with lack of law

abidance, traffic, and reckless driving claiming the lives of thousands of people every year. Who does

not worry about getting stuck in traffic on the way to work or on the way out? In fact, this has become

such a global phenomena that the term “rush hour” is now a common one. The difference, however,

is that in developed countries, no matter how long traffic queques are, traffic continues to flow and

no cars overtake others, thereby preventing further tardiness and accidents. It has become imperative

that a number of measures be taken to reduce the traffic problem in Kuwait:

- raising awareness on the importance of abiding by traffic laws and regulations

- holding awareness campaigns at schools, especially for boys, to make clear to them the dangers of

reckless driving and to talk about options in sports, culture, and science

- involving the private sector in solving the traffic problem, especially sectors that are directly linked

to economic and commercial growth

- expanding roads and developing the transportation sector to reduce traffic

- raising the number of policemen in crowded areas, especially during rush hour

- using audio and visual methods to direct traffic flow during rush hour and to announce which roads

are blocked

- holding training courses for policemen on social world and how to conduct awareness campaigns

- benefiting from experiences of advanced countries in raising the efficiency of policemen and in

overcoming traffic problems

- all of these steps could be taken under the slogan “Kuwait, a center of attraction and flowing traffic”

with the aim of raising social awareness on the importance of adhering to traffic regulations

In implementing these reforms, the Interior Ministry will be acting within the government’s guidelines

for making Kuwait a financial and economic center through making the country more attractive.

Kuwait, a center of attraction and Kuwait, a center of attraction and flowing trafficflowing traffic By Dr. Haila Al-Mukaimi

[email protected]

Documents

Issue No 5 March 2007 - moi.gov.kw into consideration when placing educational ... different ﬁelds and sought to train them on ... KKD 250 for Kuwait’s model driversD 250 for Kuwait’s