The presence of traffic police with Iftar meals on the streets helped reduce accidents due to anxiety of motorists to reach their destination on time this Ramadan.

The Traffic Department distributed discount coupons for installation of thermal insulation in vehicles, roses and Iftar meals to motorists at several traffic lights and other places during the Holy month.

The initiative launched in collaboration with some government institutions and private companies is aimed at reducing road accidents in the spiritual month when motorists speed up to reach the Iftar venue during the last moments.

"The initiative of Traffic Department is meant to thank motorists for following traffic rules and regulations during Ramadan," said Brigadier Mohamed Saad Al Kharji, Director of the Department.

"It is part of an awareness drive launched by the Department to send message to the citizens and expatriates that Traffic Police is with them and they want only public safety and security," he added.

"The latest report suggested that road accidents and violations of traffic rules decreased this Ramadan compared to previous one," said Al Kharji.

The Department organised traffic awareness programmes for the visitors at commercial complexes and Souq Waqif during Ramadan.

The Department prepared a complete plan to maintain smooth traffic during the last ten days of Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr holidays.

As per the plan, traffic police patrol units will be deployed in residential areas, shopping complexes, markets, entertainment places and around Eid prayer grounds, said Al Kharji.

Private companies provided large quantity of Iftar meals to the Traffic Department for free distribution to motorists, said Major Jaber Mohammad Adiba from the department. Iftar meals were distributed at places, including Al Shihaniya road and Abu Samra check-post.

"A company gave discount coupons worth QR900 for installation of thermal insulation for vehicles to distribute to the motorists. A flower shop provided roses to the department a couple of days ago. The roses were distributed to motorists at Cornish and Suq Al Ali.

"Safety and security on road is a collective responsibility of all institutions and individuals, however the department has a bigger role to play. It is keen to interact with motorists to make them understand the important of traffic rules," he added.

The enforcement of law to catch violators is the main job of the department, but it is also focusing on strengthening relations with motorists on occasions such as Eid and other festivities for public safety. [The Peninsula]