Abu Dhabi launches campaign to ensure accident-free school year

Abu Dhabi - The beginning of the new school year brings more cars and buses on to already clogged routes across the Capital.

Ahead of the beginning of the new academic year, the Abu Dhabi Traffic Police has urged motorists to drive carefully while passing through roads near schools.
School bus drivers have also been told to drive safely and ensure that pupils get on and out of the buses safely to avoid run over accidents.
Traffic authorities made the remarks during the launch of a police campaign to ensure there are no accidents on the emirate's roads starting this Sunday when children are going back to school.
The beginning of the new school year brings more cars and buses on to already clogged routes across the Capital.
Brig-Gen Ahmed Al Shehhi, deputy director of the traffic and patrols directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police, said: "We have implemented a comprehensive traffic plan to ensure the safety of students and the smooth flow of traffic on all roads near schools as the new school year begins." "Motorists should drive carefully and reduce speed when passing near and around schools."
Al Shehhi added: "It is also very important for bus drivers to follow instructions on where to park, help children get out of the buses safely and use designated crossings." The officer noted that bus drivers also have to drive carefully on the roads and should avoid speeding to ensure safety of children.
"School bus drivers have to make sure that they keep to the speed limit, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and avoid risky lane changes," said Al Shehhi.
School bus drivers and supervisors in the UAE attend regular training and workshops to raise awareness on traffic safety. They also have medical tests and training on safe driving, defensive driving and child management.
Other safety initiatives include daily bus safety inspections, regular maintenance, a manual pupil checking system, a disciplinary system to ensure that children's behaviour does not affect their safety and that of others. Cameras and tracking systems will identify the cause of accidents and keep watch on drivers and students.
In June 2018, a school bus driver in Abu Dhabi had his permit revoked after he failed to stop at a sign and endangered the life of a child, while in May, an accident involving a school bus and cars that injured four children was attributed to tailgating.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi