QU Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center honors its traffic safety ambassadors

Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at Qatar University (QU) honored its traffic safety ambassadors in a ceremony held in cooperation with the National Committee for Traffic Safety on May 16. The Ambassadors initiative which started in November last year drew 17 teams from 17 independent boy schools in Doha with the aim to promote safe driving behaviors. The students were oriented on road safety and awareness campaigns by QU assistant professor of marketing Dr Othman Mohammed Al Thawadi and Traffic Department CaptFahadAbdulla.

The initiative ended with 1^st place winners Al Doha Secondary School for Boys, Hamad bin Abdullah Secondary School for Boys -- 2^nd, and Al Wakra Secondary School for Boys and Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Mana Secondary School for Boys -- 3rd. CENG dean Dr KhalifaAl-Khalifa was joined at the event by General Secretary of the National Committee for Traffic Safety Brigadier Mohamed Al Malki, CENG assistant professor Dr Noor Al Maadeed, and Dr Al Thawadi, as well as CENG faculty, staff, and Traffic Department representatives. Students and their mentors from 13 schools were also present.

Commenting on the event, Dr Al-Khalifa said: “QTTSC stresses the role of young people and their involvement in various traffic safety initiatives, and is in line with the College’s commitment to citizen safety on Qatar’s roads. This is effected by motivating school students to be part of a range of awareness programs and activities, and to encourage them to find sustainable solutions to traffic safety challenges in the country”.

Brigadier Al Malki said: “Road safety touches the lives of all individuals, and requires us all to be more aware since it concerns all road users. That can be achieved by joint collaboration and case studies that achieve results that benefit all stakeholders”. He observed that QTTSC is one of the most active centers in Qatar that promotes individuals’ awareness of the culture of traffic safety, through campaigns, initiatives and public events.

Dr Al-Maadeed explained that in collaboration with the National Committee for Traffic Safety and the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior, the Center organized awareness workshops at the participating schools, and distributed brochures and posters on leadership and management of traffic safety campaigns. She noted that the initiative gave the young ambassadors the opportunity to enhance their skills and abilities on safe behavior on the roads through guidance from professionals in traffic safety.

Dr Al Thawadi said: “The workshop oriented students on how to conduct safety awareness campaigns in their schools. They learned a lot from their peers about road safety and came to understand the issues and how they affect them. By starting with high schools, we hope to shape students' understanding and attitudes towards road safety so that when they start driving, they become responsible road users”. Team supervisor Adel Abu Al Khair of participating Nasser Al Attiya Secondary School outlined the activities that were employed in their campaign which included developing brochures on traffic safety instructions and guides and hosting a lecture by traffic officers on road safety and risks.