Ammon News - AMMAN - After two years of advocacy, Hikmat Road Safety (HRS) founder Maher Qadourah on Monday said public support has encouraged him to continue the organisation’s road safety efforts.

HRS yesterday celebrated its second anniversary at a ceremony attended by Minister of Interior Nayef Qadi, deputising for Prime Minister Samir Rifai, and representatives from the public and private sectors.

HRS was established in memory of Hikmat Qadourah, Maher’s eldest son, who was killed in a hit-and-run car accident in January 2008. The organisation began as a personal initiative by his father, who refused to let his only son’s death become “just another statistic”.

“Traffic accidents are a serious threat to society and they deplete resources. Despite efforts exerted by all concerned institutions, this problem remains a persistent challenge to public safety,” Qadi said at the event, during which HRS donors and supporters were honoured.

He stressed that in order for accidents to be tackled, focus must be placed on traffic awareness and behaviours.

“Despite the increase in population and the number of vehicles, the ministry has taken measures, in cooperation with all stakeholders, which has resulted in a in the number of road accidents,” the minister noted.

He added that traffic safety awareness is the responsibility of various institutions, highlighting the role of the media, universities, schools and places of worship in this regard.

Meanwhile, Qadourah said he was “proud” of Jordanians who took part in road safety initiatives.

“It is important for each and every one of us to take a share of the responsibility and start doing something instead of trading blame,” he said during the event.

HRS has enhanced safety measures on roads surrounding 200 schools by installing rails and speed bumps, Qadourah said, adding that the organisation has agreed with the Ministry of Education to launch a school programme to encourage “safe school zones”.

This year, the HRS will work with private and public sector actors to prepare 100 football fields to provide a safe place for children to play away from the streets, he added.

Ayman Smadi, executive director of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) traffic and transportation department, said GAM’s successful partnership with HRS has encouraged the municipality to engage with other private sector institutions, forming a joint committee to streamline future road safety initiatives.

According to Traffic Department statistics, the number of severe injuries caused by road accidents dropped by 40 per in 2009, while the number of fatalities went down by 31 per cent compared to the previous year.

A recent study issued by a committee tasked with examining the main causes behind traffic accidents in Jordan indicated that a lack of caution, driving in the wrong lane, improper overtaking and speeding are the main causes of road accidents in the country.

The study revealed that 99 per cent of accidents occur on roads where the speed limit is set at 50 kilometres per hour.


(By Hani Hazaimeh/ Jordan Times)


*** A school in the capital before and after Hikmat Road Safety secured its environs. The organisation has enhanced safety measures on roads surrounding 200 schools by installing rails and speed bumps (Photo courtesy of Hikmat Road Safety)