Road accidents are a major cause of death of people in Qatar. Although the country has taken many steps to check deaths in accidents, one cannot say it has completely succeeded.

But a new five-year traffic safety plan, which will curb accidents, deaths and injuries to make it zero, is set to shake things up, according to Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti.

The minister, speaking at the opening session of the International Traffic Safety Conference, explained that the plan focused on decreasing deaths by 50% to finally achieve the ‘zero accidents’ vision, reported Gulf Times.

He said the plan basically focused on building highly efficient road networks, which reduces traffic congestion and accidents.

He said they would also adopt a national road safety design system to address all gaps, build a comprehensive traffic control centre for road users, further develop mass transport services and meet the needs of 2022 FIFA World Cup in the country, reported Qatar Tribune.

The two-day conference, which sees the participation of hundreds of representatives from several countries around the world, also sees a number of traffic safety experts from governmental entities in attendance.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurated a Traffic Exhibition on the sidelines of the conference, according to The Peninsula.

The conference tackles a number of topics like traffic safety engineering, driving behaviour, road users at risk, legal enforcement, post-accident investigations, internal vehicle technology, transport safety and security, intelligent transportation systems, traffic flow, road design and public transport, among others.

Al Sulaiti said it was a matter of pride that the National Traffic Safety Committee achieved results much beyond its expectations. 

“Qatar has taken some remarkable steps in infrastructure development and a number of world-class expressways have already been completed. More are underway. Doha Metro’s work is also at an advanced stage,” he said.

Al Sulaiti said the National Traffic Safety Office, in the last five years since its establishment, had helped develop a clear traffic safety strategy at the national level.

Al Sulaiti also highlighted the launch of the Qatar Road Design Guide, Qatar Traffic Control Guide and the comprehensive plan for pedestrian crossings.