The draft traffic law prepared by Oman’s Majlis Al Shura, calling for stricter punishments including a two-year sentence for drivers caught using their phones while driving continued to dominate the news agenda this week.
1) Drivers caught using their phones could be jailed for up to two years as well as end up paying a fine of OMR300 under tough new rules under discussion by the officials in Oman. A jail sentence from one month to a maximum of 24 months, plus the tougher fine, are among the main amendments approved by the Majlis Al Shura in the draft Traffic Law.
2) Expatriates will be allowed to start a business without an Omani partner and no minimum capital requirement will be necessary if a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) is approved by the government. This story drove the second most traffic to timesofoman.com.
3) Oman government on Thursday announced the revised petrol and diesel prices, which will be effective from February 1, 2016. The super grade petrol will cost 153 baisas per litre, 137 baisas for regular grade petrol and 146 baisas for diesel per litre. This was the third best story of the week.
4) Two school students of India School Nizwa were among the five killed in a road accident, when their bus collided with a truck in Bahla on Thursday. A lady teacher and drivers of both the vehicles were also killed in the accident. This was the fourth best-read story on our website.
5) Number five spot in most read stories this week was about a weather advisory from Oman Meteorological Department. Met on Wednesday informed that the northern parts of Oman will witness dust and sandstorms. The MET department also said that the temperature is expected to drop further.