ROAD RAGE: SULTAN DECRIES IRRESPONSIBLE DRIVING

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001054 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELTN AEMR PGOV SOCI KFLO MU SUBJECT: ROAD RAGE: SULTAN DECRIES IRRESPONSIBLE DRIVING ¶1. (SBU) Omani media, both print and electronic, have given extraordinary prominence to recent comments by Sultan Qaboos on road safety. While on his annual "Meet the People Tour" the Sultan emphasized the deleterious effects road accidents have on families and friends. The Sultan called the misuse of vehicles "irritating" and stressed the need for public awareness of the issue. Even by the fulsome standards normally accorded royal statements, these remarks, delivered in the intimate setting typical of "Meet the People" events, have been hammered home, especially by repeated broadcast on state television. ¶2. (SBU) Driving in Oman is a dangerous and at times deadly daily activity. According to the state-owned English daily "Oman Observer," in 2008 Oman reported 951 road deaths, 8,120 driving-related injuries, and 6,103 accidents. To compare, in a state with roughly the same population as Oman, out of the more than 80,000 road accidents reported by Minnesota's Department of Public Safety in 2008, 455 fatalities occurred. Oman's high number of fatalities may be explained by the excessive speed most vehicles are traveling at when an accident occurs and the fact that many drivers do not wear seatbelts. Further, Oman is a bastion of roadrage. Tailgating is commonplace; drivers honk their horns at cars in front of them and flash their lights in an attempt to get them to either speed up or move out of the way. Particularly dangerous areas are those outside of Muscat (and its omnipresent radars): speeds on the road to Dubai frequently exceed 150 KPH (95 MPH). Additionally, roadways are not well lit outside of the capital. Road safety presents a real challenge for foreign missions to Oman; recent incidents include an accident involving the German Ambassador to Oman and several accidents, some severe, involving Americans serving at Post. ¶3. (SBU) Oman has been slowly developing its roads and traffic management systems. Oman has placed new radars along the main roadways in Muscat that are able to detect vehicles traveling in excess speed from a significant distance. Drivers are not permitted to talk on their cell phones. Despite these positive developments, the "Oman Observer" reported 788 road deaths and 5,895 accidents for 2009 as of October 19. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: The Sultan's emphasis on road safety most likely signals an impending crackdown on dangerous driving behavior and a renewed commitment by the government to address the matter. However, to better enforce driving regulations greater investment in the road safety infrastructure, including an infusion of more ROP patrol cars, is necessary. Schmierer