HMC issues road safety tips for school children

Taking part in the Back to School campaign, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has issued tips for school students to help them stay safe on roads and in vehicles on their way to school and back to home. 

Doctors at HMC’s Hamad Trauma Centre have urged the students to take extra precautions while on the road. Increased volume of traffic and lack of awareness are posing threat to pedestrian students as well as those traveling in vehicles.Dr Rafael Consunji, director of the Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) and Dr Aisha Abeid, assistant director of HIPP, the community outreach wing of HMC’s Trauma Surgery Section, said the beginning of the new school year signals a change to the daily routine of many road users. They said all drivers must be more aware of new road environments and keep the speed controlled, especially during the beginning of the new academic year. “The new academic year beginning is the most dangerous time on neighbourhood streets and in school zones for child-pedestrians, passengers, and bus riders. There is an increase in the number of children walking and riding bikes. Driving quickly through these areas is prohibited and speed is restricted in school zones. Still, students face the threat of accidents,” said Dr Rafael Consunji. The HMC physician was all praise to the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) for its measures to ensure safety in school zones and developing them into more safe areas. Dr Aisha Abeid asked drivers of school buses and vans to be aware of students who cross the roads and walk along the streets. “Everyone should extend care towards children and provide them safe road environment,” she said. “Always walk around your vehicles before backing out the vehicle or leaving a garage" the two physicians stressed noting that a number of children unfortunately are injured by their own parent’s vehicles.“We caution parents to be realistic about their childtarget="_blank"'>