The Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST), in partnership with USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), held a gathering in Baalbeck, in observance of the World Remembrance Day of Traffic victims. The gathering was attended by the city’s social figures, activists, and stakeholders and shed light on what is being implemented to alleviate the traffic status in the region and to promote a new traffic culture among the residents.
After the Lebanese national anthem was rehearsed, LOST’s speech was delivered by Mr. Salah Zaayter. He stated that the gathering comes within the framework of a project that aimed at developing the skills of 96 youth to be road safety advocates. He added that the project’s overarching goal is to reduce traffic accidents and casualties caused from accidents, as well as encouraging cooperation with the security forces and authorities concerned with traffic safety.
Mrs. Rana Dadanian, OTI representative, explained that the trained youth across eight villages in Baalbeck-Hermel were able to identify the needs and monitor problems in their hometowns. It was found that the most common issue of all the towns was traffic accidents. In her speech, she noted that changing the society’s behavior in road traffic practices needs first of all to start from ourselves to be serious and effective.
The gathering was an opportunity to know more about the activities included in LOST’s project across Baalbeck-Hermel villages. For example, safety helmets will be distributed for 60 motorcyclists in Hermel, and two roundabouts will be renovated in Britel. In Chmestar, youth will be trained on driving based on traffic rules, and some signals will be put on the main road intersections. In Labwe, youth will be trained to drive safely, the public school’s parking will be renovated, and safety helmets will be distributed. In Ain, traffic signals will be put across the village, a traffic safety campaign will be launched in schools, and the public high school parking area will be reconditioned.
Following the speeches, a short captivating documentary about traffic accidents was previewed, and the attendees had a look at a standard bus school as a preliminary step toward improving the means of school transportation.
The take-away note from this gathering was that everyone has a role in raising awareness about road safety rules. LOST’s project with OTI lies in this framework that needs to be extended to cover the entire region and render it complying with road safety measures.
