App to make Oman roads safer launched

Energy Monday 22/October/2018 21:25 PM
By: Times News Service
App to make Oman roads safer launched

Muscat: A safety app has been launched by an insurer for the first time in the Sultanate.
‘SafeTakaful’, developed by Takaful Oman, was designed to make Oman’s roads safer.
Speaking during the app’s launch event, HH Sayyida Dr. Rawan bint Ahmed Al Said, CEO of Takaful Oman, said, “SafeTakaful’ is a new, innovative mobile app that is being offered for the first time by any insurer in Oman. The revolutionary new app allows us to build a safe community on the roads of Oman, in line with national road safety objectives.”
SafeTakaful records the driving pattern of users, monitoring their speed, acceleration, mileage and phone usage while driving. Based on their performance on the road, drivers are assigned a score to help them improve their driving style and make corrections that would ensure the roads become safer.
The SafeTakaful app is now available at both- Google Play Store and Apple App Store. OG Ravishankar, CFO and General Manager of Takaful Oman, added, “The app leverages the use of an open Internet of Things (IoT) platform to enhance and analyse mobility data that helps drivers to keep track of their driving behaviour.
“The app captures real-time data from smartphone sensors to constantly study and learn from a driver’s behaviour on the road, records them and presents insights into their level of safe driving across a number of parameters, including manners on the road, speeding, and mileage effects due to braking and accelerating.
Performance score
“The app then allows drivers to see a score of their performance, which they can learn from to adopt safer habits, while it links back to incentives when it comes to buying or renewing a motor policy with Takaful Oman.”
Drivers in Oman have praised the application’s concept, calling it yet another step that will help make roads safer.
Regarding the app, Hamad, a father of two, said, “I think it is a great idea. Many people may not be aware that their driving style could be a problem. This would allow them to address whatever underlying issues they may have, and improve in the future.”
Abdullah, 27 years-old, from Sur agreed. “Whenever I ask a friend to drive safely, they complain that it is others on the road and not them who need to change their way of driving. With this app, they should be able to see what mistakes they are making, so that they do not endanger others on the road.”