Ashghal completes traffic safety measures around 674 schools across Qatar

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has finalized traffic safety measures around 674 schools across Qatar in preparation for the new academic year. This initiative supports the Authority's dedication to maintaining safe and sustainable infrastructure. As the back-to-school season necessitates collaboration between families, educational institutions, and government bodies, Ashghal is in close coordination with all relevant entities to guarantee a secure and healthy commencement for every student.

The enhancements to school surroundings play a crucial role in safeguarding students and establishing a secure educational atmosphere conducive to their growth and future prospects, in alignment with the principles of Qatar National Vision 2030. Eng. Abdulla Al Maraghi, Road Safety Engineer at Ashghal's Roads Operation and Maintenance Department, emphasized that ensuring school road safety remains a top priority for the Authority through the School Zone Traffic Safety Programme, initiated in 2013 and currently encompassing 675 schools.

The programme assesses and upgrades the surrounding areas of these schools to meet stringent international safety benchmarks. Eng. Al Maraghi highlighted the importance of cooperation between governmental entities in bolstering parents' trust in the education system. Over the past few months, Ashghal's teams have accelerated the implementation of integrated engineering solutions around schools.

However, he stressed that safe infrastructure is just one component of the equation; responsible road user behavior is equally vital. Key safety measures include setting a 30 km/h maximum speed limit, installing speed humps to reduce traffic velocity, renewing road markings, pedestrian crossings, and red road surfacing to alert cyclists, widening sidewalks, installing protective barriers, and providing dedicated ramps for students with disabilities.

Ashghal urges all road users to adhere to safe driving practices near schools, especially by respecting designated speed limits, reducing speed when approaching school zones, particularly during student pick-up and drop-off times, and ensuring cyclists park only in designated zones, yield to pedestrians at crossings, come to a complete stop, and maintain a safe distance from students and school personnel.