48-hour jail for driving on shoulders, warns Royal Oman Police

Muscat: Drivers found using road shoulders will be detained for 48 hours and then referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has warned motorists in a tweet.
A shoulder often serves as an emergency stopping lane, and is a reserved lane for emergency services like ambulances etc.
“It has been noticed that some motorists drive on the road shoulders trying to escape from traffic congestion, which is considered a traffic violation,” said the ROP in its tweet.
The tweet was welcomed in the social media by many individuals believing that such behaviour leads to more traffic congestion.
“If everybody is patient and stick to their lane, then traffic congestions will be less and the time drivers have to spend in jams will be also less,” said Sanad Al Rahbi, a motorist based in Muscat.
He added that everybody feels that he is busy and only his time is precious neglecting others. “Such motorists should take the issue a bit serious and start respecting the road ethics and adhere to the traffic rules,” said Sanad.
Like Sanad, Salim Al Shukaili, a motorist based in Nizwa also asked ROP to deal more sternly with such violators. “It’s not only those driving on the road shoulders but others who keep changing lanes while getting stuck in traffic. This is really bad and leads to more delays for other motorists as they get stuck on the road,” said Al Shukaili.
He added that ROP should impose more fines and act tough against such violators.
“However, some might have an emergency case but they have to show proof once found guilty for driving in that lane as it is for the ROP to decide whether the case is fit for consideration,” said Al Shukaili.
Moreover, this lane is also used by ambulances whenever they transfer patients in an emergency case to hospitals.
“How many cases were stuck and delayed because of the misbehaviour of such motorists,” said Omar Al Wahaibi.
He added that such cases cannot bear any delay and should reach hospital as soon as possible. “ROP has to question such violators legally in case their behaviour leads to serious end,” said Al Wahaibi.
A reliable source at ROP explained that the reason for driving on the road shoulders is a violation and yellow lines are sign for the end of road allocated for public use. “Such violators driving on the road shoulders show disrespect for others as the road shoulders is allocated for everybody in case they face emergencies on road,” said the source.
He added that some years back, Public Prosecution in coordination with ROP issued a statement that driving on the road shoulders is a violation and the case should be registered with the public prosecution and the violators status would be decided by the court.