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| Brig al-Kharji and Nasra shake hands after signing the sponsorship agreement yesterday |
The “Schools without Accidents” campaign, to be rolled out in different phases alongside the academic years 2011 and 2012, is part of a nationwide awareness drive to prevent road accidents.
This year, the campaign will expand its focus to include both boys and girls from all primary, middle and high schools in Qatar with emphasis on the basics of safety and respect for the law on the road showcasing live demos, activities and workshops which will engage students, academic officials and parents in an effort to promote best and safest behaviour while on the road.
The campaign will also emphasise the increasing trend of “Tajamhor” which is a programme whereby senior students get together to take part in live and risky driving shows by drivers who drive without a licence, the practice which could endanger lives of many other road users.
Speaking at a press conference held yesterday to announce the IBQ sponsorship, the Traffic Department director Brig Mohamed Saad al-Kharji said: “IBQ’s continued support of the “Schools without Accidents” campaign is an exemplar of how all the corporate players should get together to promote safety and security for our youth on the road.”
He said that the campaign had played a central role in raising awareness of young generations in Qatar to the importance of proper behaviour as drivers, passengers or pedestrians.
“After four consecutive years, we are very happy to see that schools’ participation has increased by 18%. This is a testament to the firm belief the public has in our values and aims behind such a campaign,” he added.
The official disclosed that since 2009, there have been a noticeable decrease in accidents, especially those resulting in casualties.
“For instance, the total number of electronic traffic fines came down by 4.4% from 2009; the death rate due to road accidents was reduced by 4.4%; injuries caused by road accidents decreased by 4.8% and the total rate of road accidents dropped by a remarkable 10.8%. This is owing to the Traffic Department’s efforts and that of all the supporting entities to invest all the time and resources necessary to encourage conscious and mature behaviour on the road,” he noted.
IBQ managing director George Nasra said: “Awareness and education are the core drivers of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme through which IBQ has sponsored and spearheaded a plethora of social initiatives that are geared towards the youth. Reaching out across the country through a wide range of educational, sporting and charitable initiatives, IBQ is determined to continue to contribute to the well-being of the local community, nurturing an environment of respect, care and trust.This is demonstrated by our unfaltering commitment towards supporting strong campaigns with long term positive effects on our community such as “Schools without Accidents.”
Also present at the press conference were IBQ Business Development Department head Sheikh Fahad bin Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani and the Ministry of Interior Public Relations director Col Abdullah Khalifa al-Muftah.
