Doha: Qatar Tourism and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to raise awareness about off-road safety among Qatar's adventurist residents, families, and high-risk groups. The partnership aims to foster collaboration and improve safety measures, particularly in off-road and recreational activities.
According to Qatar News Agency, the MoU will focus on promoting off-road and recreational safety by implementing awareness programs through school-based activities with Road Safety Officers and organizing community-based events and campaigns. These initiatives will specifically target safety for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and four-wheel drives and address common injuries associated with these activities.
Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Chief of the Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism, commented on the agreement, emphasizing its role in enhancing the desert experience while ensuring safety and security for both residents and visitors. He highlighted that desert excursions are integral to Qatari culture and a popular tourism activity, making the collaboration with HMC crucial for improving safety measures.
Dr. Hassan Al Thani, Head of Trauma and Vascular Services at Hamad Medical Corporation, noted that data from the Qatar National Trauma Registry showed serious ATV accidents did not occur in facilities managed by Qatar Tourism. He recommended using these facilities for ATV-related activities due to their design and management by a specialized team that prioritizes user safety and adheres to international standards.
Both parties will collaborate on sharing best practices for off-road activities, offering courses and workshops, and exchanging the latest monitoring techniques and preventative measures. This collaboration aims to ensure the dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information.
HMC will provide Qatar Tourism with data on severe traffic crashes and injuries from off-road recreational activities. Qatar Tourism will use this data to assess consequences, study high-risk locations, and evaluate well-known off-road areas to enhance safety measures and reduce risks.