The Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) yesterday signed an agreement with Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co (AAB) — Toyota on the sponsorship of the first National Road Safety Award Programme for Qatar.
The agreement, according to a statement issued by QU, was signed by CENG dean Dr Khalid Kamal Naji and AAB acting CEO Murugan R K in the presence of QTTSC director Prof Faris Tarlochan.
The National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) secretary Brig Gen Mohamed Abdullah al-Malki along with the General Directorate of Traffic director general Maj Gen Mohamed Saad al-Kharji and other representatives from all the stakeholders attended the ceremony.
Dr Naji, while addressing the ceremony, said that the College of Engineering through the QTTSC continues to highlight its commitment to road safety by investing in research and awareness programmes that help find sustainable solutions to the road and traffic challenges in Qatar. “This agreement demonstrates CENG’s continuous efforts to contribute to road safety in Qatar by reducing road traffic accidents and developing a safe road transport system in line with the National Road Safety Strategy 2013-2022,” he explained.
Dr Naji pointed out that more than 1mn people die on the roads worldwide every year and another 50mn suffer various injuries that could lead to disabilities as well as material losses that significantly affect the state budget. “Since the UN announced that 2011-2020 will be the ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety,’ many countries, including Qatar, have devoted their efforts in developing the road safety system,” he added.
Brig Gen al-Malki said Qatar occupies a leading position in tackling road safety in the world. “In order to ensure a safe road transport system for all users in the country the NTSC and QTTSC have developed the first National Road Safety Award Programme. It’s aimed at promoting best practice in road safety by recognising individuals, organisations and educational institutions that strive to make Qatar’s roads safer,” he added. Murugan said that traffic safety has always been a priority to AAB and it’s reflected in the activities and programmes.
“The award assumes significance as it promotes the best initiatives and practices to protect road users. We believe that this award will spearhead the road safety ambition and will create a good framework to achieve it,” he added.
Prof Tarlochan said that Qatar has been able to reduce traffic accidents in recent years and achieved a great deal in comparison to other developed countries.
“This is mainly due to the efforts of all stakeholders, especially the National Traffic Safety Committee and the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior. All relevant stakeholders have worked together to organise activities, events and campaigns within public, private and educational institutions in order to raise awareness of the seriousness of non-compliance of some road users with road safety and security measures,” he added.
Officials at the agreement signing ceremony between QU-CENG and AAB-Toyota.
