In the process of implementing various policy instruments to keep up traffic safety in Oman, the policy analysts should consider various policy instrument alternatives. Problems involved in the implementation of a given policies should be considered to decide the most effective instrument which can be applied to end traffic problems in Oman.
Normally problems occur in the process of implementing various policies. For instance a policy may be inconsistent with the incentives of target people whose behavior is supposed to change. Secondly, a given policy instrument may not be in line with the interest of the policy makers who may be unwilling to carry out the policy.
In addition, adequate resources may not be available to put a given policy instrument into practice (David and Vining 294). Below are implementation scenarios for two policy instruments which can be applied to make sure that traffic safety in Oman is sustained.
Implementation Scenario for Rules
Rules in form of indirect information provision according to David and vining (87) can be the most proper rules when it comes to restricting certain type of people from offering specific service and allowing only specific trained people to offer a given service. Most accidents in Oman are caused by drivers, as a result formulation of rules which target drivers, motorists and bicyclists on roads are needed in Oman to check traffic problems (Abulbasher et al., 175).
Rules which address reckless driving, driving while drunk, safety belt violation, rules which prohibit young and old vulnerable drivers from using roads and those which make sure only licensed drivers are on the roads are needed in Oman. A variety of problems may arise during implementation of rules to tackle the above traffic issues in Oman.
To begin with, it may be very hard to enforce the rules on the people of Oman particularly on drivers who are the main target. Rules restrict the movement of people and force them to follow specific ways and abiding by certain rules is difficult for most people. A rule which forbids drivers from driving while drunk may not be followed by many people because it may be hard to detect these people on the roads.
After all traffic patrols are not always available on the roads to detect alcohol content using breathalyzer. Furthermore the act of monitoring drivers on roads may be tedious and this monitoring may only be applied in urban areas or in busy roads and in other areas drivers may not abide by the rule since they are not monitored.
Secondly a rule which prohibits young drivers and old vulnerable drivers from using roads may not be effective because it is almost impossible to restrict young energetic, ambitious youths from driving just like restricting old people from driving who may not be active and will always drive when they want to move from one place to another (Young Drivers 3).
As a result this kind of rule may be ignored by many. Imposing rules to check over speeding by drivers and generally reckless driving may not be effective because at times people will over speed when they are in rush and when they are sure that no traffic patrol is on the lookout. Most drivers ignore over speeding rules while others even resist arrest by traffic patrol as a result a rule which addresses over speeding in roads may not be followed by many.
Another problem which might arise in the implementation of rules in the process of ensuring traffic safety in Oman is the long and complex processes of rule formulation and development. Coming up with a rule takes time and requires contribution of various parties such as drivers, lawyers, and government representatives. All the people involved must come together to decide the most effective rule to be applied and this may take time.
This is a drawback in the process of dealing with traffic safety problems in Oman considering accidents occur frequently and a way of cutting down the number of accidents in Oman is needed at the moment. Under normal circumstance rules will take time before they are put into practice because they have to follow specific steps for ratifications.
Implementation Scenario for Government Provisions
Government provision is one policy instrument which can solve a lot of issues on traffic safety. The government can offer a lot of provisions in trying to improve road safety. One of the most important provisions a government can offer to improve traffic safety is the provision traffic education and important traffic information to the public.
This can occur through various means such as through television, posters, government press, roadsides posters, and issuance of leaflets by the government to the people and through government exhibitions (Abulbasher et al., 176). This information may be about use of a new traffic control system or information about climatic conditions in various parts of the country.
Another provision which the government can give to increase traffic safety in Oman is construction of better roads with wider pavements and flyovers for pedestrians and tunnels to cut traffic jam and make sure that there is fast movement of goods and people from one place to another.
Certain problems may arise in the process of implementing these provisions by the government to the people of Oman to improve traffic safety. Although the government may opt to improve infrastructure to cut the number of accidents arising due to poor infrastructure, improvement of infrastructure may not be achieved soon (Plant and Scott 23).
The government of Oman may not have adequate funds and may need extra grants from other governments and this may not be forthcoming. Even if the government has adequate resources, it may take several years before better roads are constructed in Oman because road construction will need labor, time and experienced engineers.
The government might choose to offer traffic education to the public through the social media, posters or through issuance of various publications. This information may be about weather in various areas in Oman or about unsafe roads. Most people neglect this information from social media.
Due to that only few people are able to get the information and follow the government precautions. Ignorant drivers may cause accidents and this ignorance is a problem in the implementation of government provisions and government should choose the most proper means of communication which will reach many drivers. Most of the provisions by the government of Oman for addressing traffic security maybe expensive.
For instance, installing a new traffic control system may be expensive for the government and may inconvenience drivers on the roads who are not conversant with the new system. The government may also incur extra cost of educating the public on how to use the new system. Collaboration by the government of Oman with various institutions which offer traffic education may also make the government to incur extra costs.
Works Cited
Abulbasher, Shahalam, Ali Galal, Charles Bakheit, and EmadFadhel. “Factor Analysis: Traffic Accidents and Potential Causes – A Case Study in Oman.” National Engineering Conference on Roads, (2011).175-190. Print.
David, Weimer L., and Aidan Vining R. Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice. Upper. Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. (2005). Print.
Plant, Joel B., and Scott, Michael S. Effective Policing and Crime Prevention. A problem Oriented Guide for Mayors, City Managers and Country Executives. Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. US Department of Justice. Washington DC. (2009). Print.
Young Drivers: The Road Safety. Organization for Economic Corporation and Development. (2006). Web. https://www.itf-oecd.org/