The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Federal Traffic Council, rolled out the 2nd unified traffic awareness campaign for 2021 under the slogan "Preventive driving, a Requirement and Goal." The campaign is part of the traffic sector's initiatives to enhance road safety and achieve the highest levels of traffic security and safety, reducing deaths to 3 cases per 100,000 residents by 2021. The campaign will run until the end of next June.
Maj. Gen. Engineer Advisor Mohamed Saif Al Zafin, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs of Dubai Police, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, indicated that this campaign embodies the Ministry of Interior's strategy for safer roads. It aims to reach the highest levels of traffic safety for all road users and promote the traffic sector’s initiatives to raise the awareness of society segments about the damage caused by traffic accidents. Preventive driving means that the motoristdrive the vehicle in a way helps him/her avoid unexpected or unpredictable moves or behaviors by others (both motorists and pedestrians alike). It also means that the motorist keeps developing his/her driving skills to be able to avoid traffic accidents.
Al Zafin stated that a motorist is a cognitive person and should be a good example to others, thus observing safety and security ethics, and becoming an ideal motorist. A motorist should ensure that he/she drives safely and preventively, protecting his/her personal safety and the safety of other motorists, pedestrians and road users. He pointed out that safety can only be achieved in cooperation with others as a mutual responsibility. Therefore, the community should possess a sufficient level of awareness about the principles of traffic safety.
He added that practices and behaviors of motorists must be safeso that they can safely reach their destinations. Al Zafin pointed out that some behaviors of motorists lead to traffic accidents, and this in turn shows the need for motorists to be more knowledgeable about the concept of preventive driving by observing traffic regulations and rules to protect their safety and the safety of others. The Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council stressed the motorists’ need take the necessary precautions and measures to avoid accidents and any ensuing fatalities or injuries.
Al Zafin then called on motorists to show more commitment to preventive driving and become personally responsible for safe driving and observing traffic laws to avoid accidents which put their lives and the lives of others in real danger.
The campaign, according Al Zafin, is rolled out in cooperation and coordination with the Traffic and Patrol Departments acrossthe UAE as well as other traffic safety entities in the public and private sectors. The campaign aims to unify and maintain local efforts by taking precautions to ensure that all road users remain safe and secure behind the wheel.
On choosing the slogan for the campaign "preventive driving, a requirement and goal," he said that the chosen slogan underscores the importance of observing traffic regulations and rules. Furthermore, it encourages motorists to maintain safety ethics, respect traffic signals, and grant the right of way for all. The campaign comes as part of the Ministry’s keenness to enhance traffic safety for all road users and raises traffic awareness among motorists.
Al Zafin indicated that part of the campaign’s objectives is to reach the largest segment of community through various mediaoutlets, including newspapers, radio, television and social media networks, as well as holding radio discussions and host traffic specialists to answer any inquiries from the public regarding the campaign and the traffic values and culture it propagates.
He finally called on motorists and road users to stick to traffic rules and regulations to protect themselves and others from accidents and the resulting injuries, fatalities and property damage, stressing that adherence to the law makes them and others safer.