Oman tourism: Air support plan for a safe trip to Salalah

Dhofar: Royal Oman Police (ROP) wants to ensure the safety of the public as well as provide tips for safe travel ahead of Khareef Salalah which began on Friday.
The road to Salalah can be a daunting one as several people have either been critically injured or lost their lives due to speeding or fatigue over the past few years and the ROP are prepared to prevent, or at least minimize, the losses this year by taking to the air.
The ROP Air Wing, from Al Wusta Governorate, dispatched helicopters to provide air support along the road leading to Dhofar Governorate and will notify ground units about dangerous overtaking from travellers, sand dunes and they will also transport the injured if an accident takes place.
“The helicopters are equipped with medical equipment to administer first aid to the injured on the way to the nearest hospital as they will patrol the route from Wilayat Adam to Wilayat Thumrait and report any dangerous overtaking or sand dunes present to the operations center in Al Wusta ROP,” said the ROP.
They added that they will also report any breakdown of vehicles on the route.
“After going on their patrol, the helicopter will head back to base in Al Wusta ROP and will take off again if there are any reports of accidents,” said the ROP.
Safety Guidelines for Travel
The ROP issued safety tips for those who are planning to travel via land as well as basic rules of thumb while driving.
They advised travellers to perform any necessary maintenance to their engine, check the engine oil, belt, fans and tires. Travellers must ensure water coolant supply and make sure their windshield wipers and the rear wipers (if available) are working properly.
The ROP wants travellers to carry essential items such as a tow rope, digging equipment, wooden boards, extra water, extra keys and making sure a fire extinguisher is available.
“The trip to Dhofar is hundreds of kilometers, especially for GCC nationals, so it requires the traveler to be prepared, alert and careful along this road,” said the ROP.
The ROP also advised visitors to Salalah to comply with the Sultanate’s laws.