MUSCAT: The Directorate- General of Traffic at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) stresses that reckless driving, drifting and stunt driving constitute serious legal violations as they endanger the lives of motorists and other road users and disturb public order.
Brigadier Eng Ali bin Sulayem al Falahi, Director-General of Traffic at ROP said that reckless driving and drifting are punishable by the Traffic Law by imprisonment, impounding of modified vehicles and fines. He urged citizens and residents to report such incidents immediately by contacting the police operations centre or any police station where reports are received and dealt with promptly.
Al Falahi added that roads are designated for safe travel and serving all users, not for stunts or showing off. He explained that, based on fieldwork and available statistics, the 17-30 age group is generally linked to these violations.
The Director-General of Traffic said that the Traffic Law deters the phenomenon of reckless driving. Article (49) of the Traffic Law stipulates that anyone who performs reckless driving and drifting on the road or in undesignated areas shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months and a fine not exceeding RO 500 or by either of the two penalties.
The Traffic Law also prohibits car or motorcycle races, displays for advertising or promotional purposes, processions, or any other activities that cause traffic congestion or disruption except with prior authorization from the relevant authorities. Anyone driving vehicles in groups that disturb public order without a permit is punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten days, or a fine not exceeding RO 300, except as permitted by established customs and traditions as defined in the executive regulations. The law also imposes a prison sentence of not less than ten days and not more than two months, and a fine of not less than RO 100 and not more than RO 500, or one of these two penalties, for anyone who drives a vehicle on the road at excessive speed or recklessly, or in a manner that poses a threat or endangers lives or property, or who overtakes in a dangerous or prohibited area, or overtakes from the shoulder of the road, he said.
The Director-General of Traffic noted that vehicles undergo technical inspection to verify the validity of the violation, and to find out whether it contains illegal modifications or additions. If the violation is proven, a fine is imposed on the driver of the vehicle, with the vehicle being impounded. In this case the police also orders the removal of the additional modification and restoring the vehicle to its legal condition.
By Yousef bin Salem al Habsi
