Muscat: For the first time, motorists who neglect warnings to avoid wadis during rain will face up to three months in jail apart from a fine of 500 rials.
Dozens of people died last year when their vehicles were swept away by flood waters in Oman’s wadis.
The stiff penalties under Oman’s new traffic law are aimed at curbing such senseless deaths.
On average, two people are killed in road accidents every day in Oman.
The law was approved by Sultan Qaboos through a royal decree.
Amendments were approved by the Council of Ministers in 2015 and then sent to Sultan Qaboos for final approval.
Under the new law, drivers using mobile phones while driving will be fined 300 rials and could face jail terms ranging from a month to two years.
Drivers who injure others on the road could be jailed up to one year and fined 2,000 rials.
Oman has a high number of road accidents, with 6,276 crashes recorded in 2015, resulting in more than 675 deaths.
July was the deadliest month of 2015, with 71 people killed in road accidents.
