Muscat – With the new academic year set to begin on September 6, Royal Oman Police (ROP) is stepping up traffic measures around schools and on main roads during peak hours, urging motorists to avoid speeding and random parking and to exercise extra caution to protect students.

The ROP is implementing a traffic plan aimed at improving traffic flow and enhancing road safety, particularly around schools and on major roads during peak periods. The Directorate General of Traffic is also increasing its field presence to address congestion and monitor traffic violations and unsafe practices that could put students and other road users in danger.

Col Salim bin Mohammed Al Harasi, Assistant Director General of Traffic, said coordination with various relevant authorities is continuing to exchange information and observations and organise the movement of school buses and private vehicles entering and leaving schools.

He said the aim is to provide a safer environment around schools, stressing that the success of field operations also depends on awareness campaigns targeting students, parents and school bus drivers. These campaigns focus on promoting safe practices when travelling to and from schools.

Col Al Harasi highlighted several violations and behaviours that threaten student safety, including speeding, using mobile phones while driving, improper overtaking and failing to give pedestrians the right of way.

He stressed the need to avoid random parking in unauthorised areas, particularly in front of school gates and at pedestrian crossings, as such practices obstruct the movement of students and school buses and can create dangerous situations.

The ROP stressed that student safety inside school buses is equally important. Efforts are therefore being made to ensure that school buses meet the required technical and safety standards.

Traffic authorities have urged school bus drivers to comply with the permitted passenger capacity and exercise caution when students are getting off the bus. Drivers have been instructed not to move until students have safely moved away from the bus and to ensure that the vehicle is completely empty at the end of every journey.

Col Al Harasi said creating a safe traffic environment around schools requires cooperation from everyone.

“Traffic compliance is a responsible behaviour that helps protect our children and build a generation that is more aware of road safety,” he said.

He also urged school bus drivers to observe speed limits and ensure students’ safety while boarding and leaving the buses.