TEHRAN — Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) rescue and relief will launch a scheme on March 16 aiming to increase safety on roads during the New Year holidays, head of Rescue and Relief Organization, Morteza Salimi, has said.

Every year, people in Iran make hundreds of thousands of domestic trips during the Iranian New Year holidays (starting on March 21), when most businesses and workplaces are closed, as are schools.

The scheme will end on March 6, Salimi said, ISNA news agency reported.

During the aforesaid period some 5,800 search and rescue forces will be on duty in IRCS stations nationwide, Salimi explained.

Resources for implementation of the scheme has increased by three percent compared to the same period last year, he concluded.

MQ/MG