Muscat – The tragic 15-vehicle crash in Samail on August 28 has once again highlighted the dangers motorists face on highways. The accident involved a truck loaded with steel and claimed six lives and left 18 people injured. It prompted renewed calls for motorists to remain alert, maintain a safe following distance and anticipate sudden changes in traffic, particularly when approaching congested areas or accident scenes. What can motorists do to help prevent chain collisions on Oman’s highways? Here’s what Muscat Daily readers said –

Khalid Al Shanfari, Private sector employee

Motorists should give heavy trucks enough space. Trucks need a longer distance to stop, and drivers should avoid staying in their blind spots for too long.

Maha Al Harthy, Engineer

People should put safety before reaching their destination quickly. Wearing seat belts, avoiding mobile phones and maintaining a safe speed can make a major difference.

Rajesh Kumar, Private sector employee

On highways, I always try to keep a good distance from trucks. If traffic suddenly slows down, that extra space gives you valuable time to brake safely.

Suresh Nair, Logistics supervisor

Drivers should be particularly careful when approaching traffic queues. They should reduce their speed early rather than braking suddenly at the last moment.

Anil Thomas, IT professional

Overtaking heavy vehicles requires patience. Drivers should make sure the road ahead is clear, use indicators and complete the manoeuvre safely without cutting in too closely.

Priya Menon, Mechanical engineer

Defensive driving is essential. We cannot control what another driver does, but we can control our speed, distance and attention. A few extra seconds of caution can save lives.

Salim Al Balushi, Teacher

Drivers need to keep a safe distance, especially from trucks. We should never drive too close to heavy vehicles because we may not have enough time to react if they stop suddenly.

Ali Al Hinai, Road safety enthusiast

The most important thing is to slow down when approaching congestion or an accident scene. Drivers should expect sudden braking and avoid unnecessary lane changes.