Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafeen, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council noted that statistics revealed that sudden deviation caused 438 accidents, where 495 people were injured, and 59 died in 2018. He stressed that sudden deviation occurs mainly as a result to drivers’ distraction while driving.

He explained that the campaign that is being implemented in collaboration with several strategic government and private sector partners will include lectures, workshops and distribution of brochures that aim to boost traffic safety awareness by shedding the light on the major causes of distracted driving. There will also be several events organized by traffic directorates at the country’s police general commands to increase traffic safety awareness throughout the campaign.

Major General Al Zafeen called upon all parties, including the media, to spread the messages of the first traffic awareness campaign and to interact with educational films and messages that are shared by relevant entities across traditional media or social media. He also announced that a special hashtag was launched in connection with the campaign in cooperation with the Security Media Department at the Ministry of Interior: Avoid Distraction While Driving. It would allow individuals to submit their inquiries and actively participate in the efforts to ensure that the campaign achieves the desired goals, out of the firm belief that traffic safety is a shared responsibility.