- Title: RELIGION-RAMADAN/ALGERIA-ROADSIDE IFTAR Algeria police offer free Ramadan meals
- Date: 8th July 2015
- Summary: ALGIERS, ALGERIA (RECENT - JUNE, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF POLICE AT CHECKPOINT ON THE HIGHWAY POLICEMAN SETTING THE TABLE FOR IFTAR MEAL VARIOUS OF WOMAN SERVING FOOD A WOMAN SERVING THE SOUP ON THE PLATES DISH PEOPLE PREPARING PLATES OF FOOD POLICEMAN STOPPING DRIVER AND INVITING HIM TO BREAK HIS FAST IN THE TENT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) POLICE COMMISSIONER, ZERRAR TOUFIK,
- Embargoed: 23rd July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Algeria
- Country: Algeria
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA3NMEGDVCZI46C6VJWXVRP2SYE
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Being stopped at an Algerian traffic checkpoint is often a sign that the driver has done something wrong, but this Ramadan drivers might find themselves being offered a free meal by police.
For the second year running security services have set up tents near the main checkpoints in the country's provinces, in which they serve iftar meals so that people can break their fast.
The risk of road accidents normally increases in Ramadan as people rush home around sunset to eat, having fasted since dawn.
Police commissioner Zerrar Toufik said they offer advice as well as food at the checkpoints.
"The aim of this initiative is to help citizens, especially highway users, of the importance of caution and sobriety while driving," he said.
Drivers who stop at the checkpoint said they like the idea.
"It is a very good initiative; we hope that they'll do it each year. The drivers could stop and eat here and avoid the speed that causes accidents. God bless you and enjoy your meal," said Sid Ali, who stopped at the checkpoint.
"People who get stuck on the road would like to break their fast in such tents to be able to continue their way," said driver Fatima.
Since the beginning of the month of Ramadan more than 179 people were killed and 1,255 were injured in 744 road accidents, according to a report provided last Thursday (July 2) by Algeria's rural police force, the national gendarmerie.
Police chief Berrachdi Nourredine said he hoped the initiative would improve safety and awareness.
"We aim to raise awareness by this operation which is now in it second year, in accordance with the instructions of the national leadership of national security to continue to improve and to protect citizens lives," he said.
Other countries in the Arab world, including the UAE, Qatar and Jordan also have road safety initiatives specifically focused on the Ramadan rush, encouraging people to drive safely to get home in time for iftar. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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