(MENAFN- The Peninsula) In a new initiative to ensure safety of children, traffic safe zones have been built around several independent and private schools across the country, with t he speed limit capped at 30km per hour.
The project being implemented by the Public Works Authority aims to curb accidents and traffic congestions around these facilities. It will be expanded to all the schools in a phased manner, Ashghal said yesterday.
Initially safe zones are being made around 200 schools identified as at risk of road accidents by the Ministry of Interior and the National Road Safety Committee. Priority has been given to these schools based on a study conducted by the Supreme Education Council (SEC) to identify the school zones in urgent need for development.
New schools will be included in the initiative based on request by the SEC, school administration, teachers and parents.
Safe school zones will have safe roads, speed breakers, car parks, medians and small roundabouts to manage traffic flow.
It will also have sufficient number of signboards, and road markings near schools.
To ensure pedestrian safety, safe footpaths are being created including for people with
disabilities. Clear warning signs will be placed at the entrances and exits of the roads leading to schools.
Safe entrances are made to schools which overlook the main streets and bright coloured rumble strips are placed to alert drivers when arriving or leaving an area near to schools.
Development of roads surrounding 19 schools in various areas has been completed and some temporary traffic safety solutions for 11 schools have been carried out. Development works of 10 other school zones are currently being implemented, said Yusuf Abdulrahman Al Emadi, Director, Road Maintenance Department at Ashghal, addressing a press conference yesterday.
To complete the safe zone around each school would take a minimum of three months and cost around QR1m.
The programme aims at ensuring safety of students and parents when they arrive and leave from schools and at easing traffic congestion near schools which is worsening due to the lack of parking spots and lack of sidewalks and footpaths, he added.
"The designs which assure traffic safety standards in school zones will be set after evaluation and will be adjusted according to recommendations by the school administration," said Al Emadi.
The designing of safe school zones comprises the traffic safety evaluation, which includes deciding the entrances and exits of the roads leading to the school to place the signboards within walking distance of the institution.
This is in addition to setting standards and general requirements for designating parking slots and various stopping points to facilitate the passenger drop off and pick up and decide the pedestrian crossing sites.
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