RIYADH, 2 March 2004 — Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Sattam wants the media to help cultivate awareness of road safety in the Kingdom. The prince was speaking at the International Civil Defense Day celebrations in the capital, which included a demonstration by the civil defense personnel of their fire-fighting skills and the opening by him of a weeklong exhibition on safety education at the city’s Sahara Mall.
“The fire drill display demonstrated the skills of the security forces and showed the sophisticated equipment the Kingdom uses in emergencies,” the prince said. He stressed the press could play an important role in promoting public safety and cultivating the habit of safety awareness.
He also called for greater respect, especially among the young, for safety rules and traffic regulations.
“Accidents involving fire have become very common and therefore stored items must be constantly monitored and checked to avoid tragedies,” Civil Defense Chief Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijeri told Arab News.
He said the Kingdom updates its equipment and trains Civil Defense officers to international standards.
A team of chemical weapons experts from Holland are currently in the Kingdom to provide an orientation course for his officers, he said.
Al-Tuwaijeri’s department has launched a Kingdomwide campaign in schools to raise awareness especially of road safety.
The Kingdom has one of the highest rates of fatal road accidents in the world. Driving instruction is rudimentary, and there exists no culture of cooperation between drivers, let alone respect for pedestrians.
Al-Tuwaijeri added his department concentrated its efforts on girls’ schools.
The Civil Defense also conducts training course for teachers with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education.
