MUSCAT, 12 April 2004 — The Royal Oman Police last Monday launched a new ambulance service for rescue of road accident victims. The ambulances are manned by trained medical teams and equipment to provide on-the-spot medical care.
The ROP’s decision came in response to alarming statistics released by the Directorate-General of Traffic. It is an effort to save as many lives as possible in the shortest possible time. It also, in my view, reflects the ROP’s commitment to serving the country and the people by responding to social developments.
Much thought has been put into the launch of the ambulance unit. Five doctors and a team of nurses were sent to the Ronald Reagan Emergency Medicine Center at George Washington University in the US for training. They form only the first batch, and their service is now available to those who need them.
The project aims to provide quality pre-hospital medical care to the injured at the scene of the accident. Ambulance units can reach the scene of an accident within 10 minutes.
It is well worth investing in reduced response time as in the event of an accident every second is as valuable as gold. Initially, the service will be available only in the Muscat governorate, but it will eventually cover every inch of the sultanate.
The ROP has always been dedicated to providing the best service it can to the citizens of the sultanate, and all its officers carry out the responsibilities assigned to them with honesty and dedication, right down from Lt. Gen. Malik ibn Suleiman Al-Maamari, the inspector-general of police and customs.
The rate of traffic accident fatalities is doubtless going to come down significantly, and results will be palpable within a few weeks. People will of course have to cooperate. They must report accidents to the ROP immediately and give way to ambulances to allow them to reach the scene in the shortest possible time.
The ambulance service makes a vital contribution to saving lives once accidents have happened. But over the years I have repeatedly, in my column in the Times of Oman, suggested measures that could help prevent accidents and make our roads safer.
Among other things I have suggested fixing candid cameras at critical points to catch reckless drivers and raising the age for driving license applicants from 18 to 21 years; maturity, it seems to me, is a must for drivers.
We must also review the speed limit.
A reduction from 100 km/h to 80 km/h and from 80 km/h to 60 km/h wherever these limits apply, especially in cities, will ensure safer roads and fewer accidents.
