Oman traffic law amendments issued, stronger fines anticipated

Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on Thursday issued a Royal Decree amending the Traffic Law, after the statute was reviewed by the Council of Oman (Majlis Oman).
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Royal Decree No. 38/2016 introduces amendments to some provisions of the Traffic Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 28/93.
Article (1) states that the amendments of provisions of the aforementioned Traffic Law, attached to this decree, shall be enforced.
Article (2) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Earlier this year in Majlis Al Shura’s final term, they had discussed an amendment to the Traffic Law to make it clearer and issue heftier penalties for violation.
The first draft of the amended law saw heftier cell phone fines which stated that drivers using mobile phones would be subject to a OMR300 fine and jail term from one month to two years.
The first draft also separated accidents from deliberate or negligent acts. If an accident causes injury to a second party due to negligence then the violator would be fined OMR2,000 and a jail term from three months to one year; however the jail term would depend on the seriousness of the injury.
The first time, the law was passed by the Majlis Al Shura and handed over to Majlis Oman for approval. It was sent to HM for approval but was rejected and sent back to the Majlis Al Shura for further amendment.
The amendment has now been passed by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
-(With inputs from ONA)