Pupils’ safety in focus as school begins

ABU DHABI // Parents have been urged to teach their children to use pedestrian crossings to catch their bus and after leaving it.

The advice is part of a social media campaign by Abu Dhabi Police to raise road safety awareness and save lives.

UAE Together’s new initiative, The Bus on the Road, comes as the new academic year starts next week.

It warns parents and other drivers to be cautious when picking up or dropping off pupils.

UAE Together is a campaign by Abu Dhabi Police to increase awareness about traffic rules and regulations, to reduce accidents.

Its Facebook and Twitter accounts impart road safety messages encouraging drivers to wear seat belts, abide by traffic rules and serve as role models to the young when it comes to safe driving.

Pedestrians are also being asked to avoid crossing roads at undesignated spots.

“Let’s build together a road safety base among people and avoid destruction and traffic crashes,” read one Facebook post.

Another featured photos of children of Petroleum Institute employees at traffic awareness lectures and workshops organised by the Abu Dhabi Police. The summer camp activities were aimed at strengthening and promoting traffic safety culture among community members.

The children were taught to cross the street near junctions, the importance of traffic and pedestrian lights, and the risks of crossing the road if the traffic light has not turned red and the vehicles have not completely stopped.

They also learnt about the dangers of driving through a red light.

Another post read: “Left, right, twice: teach your child to first look at both sides before crossing the road after leaving the bus #Bus-OnTheRoad #uaetogether.”

To highlight pedestrian safety, UAE Together also tweeted a message that read, “No jaywalking: teach your child to always use a pedestrian crossing after leaving the bus #BusOnTheRoad.”

Another tip on Facebook and Twitter read: “Stand by me: pick up your child as close as possible in the school yard and not from across the road #BusOnTheRoad”.

Thomas Edelmann, founder of website Road Safety UAE, welcomed the new campaign.

“Using social media in traffic safety initiatives is almost mandatory, especially when young target audiences are involved,” Mr Edelmann said.

“These target audiences use social media frequently, hence these media must play a central role in the media mix of these initiatives.”

Mohammed Yunus, 28, a sales executive who has lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for four years, agreed.

“Social media plays a big role in traffic safety awareness,” Mr Yunus said.

“Parents and their children can learn a lot how to be safe on the roads as drivers and as pedestrians.”

Mohammed Khalil, 52, a doctor from Jordan who has lived in Abu Dhabi for 30 years, recalled the difficulties his two sons and two daughters faced while taking the bus to school in Abu Dhabi.

He and his wife would often tell their children to be careful when crossing the road.

“The school bus picked and dropped them off either on Hamdan Street or Khalifa Street, and not close to our house,” he said. “For so many years we were really concerned about their safety so we had to ask our maid to accompany them to and from the bus stop.”

On Sunday, UAE Together asked Facebook fans and Twitter followers to share their thoughts on safety standards in every bus.

One said drivers of buses with hydraulic brakes should drive carefully to minimise the risk of falling in case of an emergency stop.

Another said school buses should be equipped with seat belts to save lives and minimise risk of injury.

Speeding, driving too close to the vehicle in front, and improperly changing lanes are some of the common driving infractions in the UAE, Mr Edelmann said.

“Bus drivers and their employers have to realise their responsibility for their passengers safety and for the safety of other traffic participants,” Mr Edelmann said. “The responsibility lies with the employer, for providing a proper driver training curriculum, coupled with regular updates and refresher courses.

“Bus drivers must also make sure their buses are in immaculate technical condition.

“Shortcomings of technical nature, as reported by drivers, must be rectified immediately.”

Awadh Al Mukhani, 25, a public relations officer in Abu Dhabi for two years, said bus drivers were generally safe road users.

“School bus drivers in particular respect the speed limits and have good lane discipline,” he said.

Most school bus drivers normally do not engage in risky driving behaviour, Mr Yunus said.

“They are not rash drivers and drive with caution since they are carrying young children,” he said.

“The Government’s strict policies regarding school transport have also enhanced safety on our roads.”

UAE Together’s 10 community-based monthly initiatives to raise awareness and help save lives were announced at the Gulf Traffic Week in March this year.

Other initiatives are: On the Classroom Seat, which will spread school safety awareness; There is a Kid in your Car, to promote responsible driving; and You are the Pillars of the Future, which is intended to instil a sense of patriotism among young people.

rruiz@thenational.ae