DAMMAM: A traffic safety forum to be held here from Nov. 24 to 26 will focus on educating young people about respecting the country’s laws to reduce accidents.

This is according to Abdullah Al-Rubaish, president of Dammam University and chairman of the forum’s organizing committee, who said that the participants would include representatives from six ministries, 15 universities, 12 education directorates and organizations from the private sector.

He made the comments at a press conference held at Dammam University recently, alongside Eastern Province Education Director General Abdulrahman Al-Mederias, Director of Eastern Province Traffic Brig. Gen. Khalid Al-Mazrou’ and Secretary-General of the Traffic Safety Committee in the Eastern Province Sultan Al-Zahrani.

Al-Rabeish said the forum would see several experts present papers on traffic safety issues, and would be an opportunity for young people to express their views. A major aim would be look at how to incorporate best practices from other countries in changing the attitudes of young people with the help of the media and celebrities.

Al-Zahrani said the forum would look at how car accidents are affecting young people, and the social and psychological reasons for many driving so aggressively on the nation’s roads.

He said there would be a special body set up that would oversee the study of these factors, with SR26 million allocated for 70 projects. This body would produce recommendations on how to deal with the most serious accidents, which include impounding vehicles rather than financial penalties.

Al-Mederias said the forum’s activities would be relayed to schools on television channels. He said 450 employees of the education department have been registered for training workshops and 35,000 training portfolios have been distributed among pupils.

Al-Mazrou’ said the channels would also allow students and other members of the public to join in the discussions, which would focus on rules and penalties. The emphasis would be on how awareness can reduce accidents.

Abdulhamid Al-Meijil, head of the forum, said workshops would be held on safe driving, first aid for accident victims, how to prepare, manage and evaluate traffic awareness campaigns, and incorporating the experiences of other countries.