As part of its ongoing “Ramadan and Safe Driving” campaign, the General Directorate of Traffic celebrated the traditional Garangao festival on Monday at the theatre in the Traffic Directorate headquarters, Madinat Khalifa.
A large number of children and families were invited for the occasion. The participants took part in the competitions aimed at delivering traffic awareness messages, focusing on traffic signals and conditions of security and safety for motorists, pedestrians and children.
The programme was attended by Director-General of Traffic Directorate Brig Mohamed Saad al-Kharji and a number of officers from the Traffic Awareness and Media Department. Fluorescent Garangao bags specially made for the occasion were distributed to the children present.
Lt Hamad Salem al-Nabit, head of the Technical Support Section at the Department of Media and Traffic Awareness, said the aim of hosting the Garangao celebration at the General Directorate of Traffic is to improve awareness on traffic signals and rules among children and families accompanying them.
The fluorescent Garangao bags, which would help children carrying them stand out in low light while moving around in the neighbourhood to collect sweets and gifts, are meant to reduce any risk of traffic accidents.
“The bikers’ group, Soul Riders, supported the Traffic Department by distributing the fluorescent bags along Doha Corniche and other public places,” the official explained. A total of 5,000 fluorescent bags and 14,000 fluorescent tags were produced by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with Qatargas.
The officer urged parents to supervise the children on the night of Garangao and not to leave them alone on roads and in public places without taking care of their safety.
Brig al-Kharji (second left) and other officials at the event.
