‘Drive Slowly’ campaign promotes road safety, walking culture in Halabja

HALABJA — Residents of Halabja, including students, teachers, workers, and civil servants, joined the “Drive Slowly” campaign on Monday, part of a regionwide initiative to promote walking and raise awareness about road safety and responsible driving.

The campaign, launched under a directive from the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Interior on May 10, is aimed at reducing traffic incidents across the region. It is scheduled to continue for six months and coincides with the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, held from May 12 to 18 under the theme “Make Walking and Cycling Safe.”

Nukhsha Nasih, acting governor of Halabja, took part in Monday’s activities and highlighted the broader benefits of the initiative. “Walking is important for reducing traffic incidents and protecting the environment,” she told 964media. “Today’s activity is meant to raise awareness, and we will continue working to strengthen walking habits.”

Halabja resident Jabar Hawrami said the campaign sends a strong public message. “Every collective effort brings positive results,” he said.

Participants emphasized that encouraging walking and reducing reliance on private vehicles can not only prevent accidents but also support environmental health. Religious leaders, artists, media professionals, and traffic personnel have also joined the campaign in cities across the Kurdistan Region.

Bawen Abdulrahman, a student who participated in the campaign, said it offered a chance to speak directly to drivers. “This is a message that tells drivers to drive calmly and cautiously to avoid traffic incidents,” she said. “My message to my parents is to drive carefully so they can stay away from accidents and protect the environment.”

Traffic fatalities continue to be a widespread concern in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, with many incidents caused by reckless and high-speed driving. Injuries and deaths resulting from road accidents have become a regular occurrence across the country.

In response, authorities in the Kurdistan Region have installed point-to-point speed cameras. Officials say these measures have contributed to a reduction in traffic accidents by more than 50% in some areas.

According to Iraq’s Ministry of Planning that more than 3,000 people died in traffic accidents in 2023, almost exactly the figure for 2022. Officials cited driver error as the primary cause of the majority of these incidents.