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Doha, Qatar: Various measures have been undertaken by authorities and entities to prioritise safety during the winter camping season.
The General Directorate of Traffic, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Qatar Tourism are conducting inspection and awareness campaigns to improve the camping experience by ensuring the well-being of individuals.
The ‘Safe Camping’ awareness campaign by the General Directorate of Traffic launched in collaboration with various departments under the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in the Sealine area last month, continues its activities.
This initiative designed to increase traffic awareness, prioritises public safety, and mitigates accidents in wilderness areas, particularly during the winter camping season, which began on November 1.
On Friday, the campaign team conducted a field visit to motorcycle rental shops. The purpose was to educate individuals of all ages engaging in camping activities as well as motorcycle users and shop owners. The focus was on instilling a commitment to adhering to traffic laws, complying with safety regulations, steering clear of unsafe behaviours and avoiding reckless actions. These efforts are collectively aimed at safeguarding lives and property, contributing to a safer and more responsible camping experience for all, the MoI said on the X platform.
In a social media campaign, the Hamad Injury Prevention Programme (HIPP) at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Trauma Centre has issued a series of recommendations that can help residents of Qatar to stay safe on their quad bikes or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) during the camping season.
It has advised people to refrain from performing stunts and using wheelies when climbing hills or dunes to prevent rollover accidents and to use ATVs only in the designated areas.
It said that Quad bikes should not be driven on regular roads and that it is recommended that only one person operate the bike and wear personal protective equipment such as helmets, protective eyewear, ankle boots and gloves. It recommended children not to ride the bikes.The HMC said on December 6 that according to the Qatar National Trauma Registry, there were only 29 cases of ATV-related injuries in Sealine area since November.
It said that more than 75 percent of these injuries occurred on a Friday as a result of a rollover to a rider who had no protective gear.
More than half of the victims suffered from moderate to severe injuries that required treatment at the Hamad Trauma Centre.
At the onset of this winter season, Qatar Tourism inspected four-wheel drive bikes rental offices in Sealine and Ghariyah to ensure compliance with Law No. (20)/2018, outlining guidelines for tourist vehicle operations.
This annual inspection, coordinated with the South and North Security Departments, General Directorate of Traffic, and Ministry of Municipality and Environment, aligns with the season’s commencement.
