Saudi Arabia is instituting a wide-ranging reform of its traffic laws. With around 5,000 killed on Saudi streets and highways last year, not to mention the atrocious lack of driving skills manifest across the country, the changes couldn’t come at a better time. Except maybe some years ago.
Among the changes cited in this Arab News article are that the use cell phones while driving now becomes a criminal offense, as is the case in several US states and in other countries. Joyriding is to be severely punished, something that will reduce the YouTube presence of Saudi drifting, not to mention cutting down on injuries and fatalities.
Overall, Saudi traffic laws will be regularized for the first time with the creation of a new council with the authority to set policies. New traffic courts will be established as well. Interestingly, new security features will be used on license plates to deter their being removed and placed on other vehicles—the changing of plates has been observed in several terrorist attacks in the Kingdom.
This is another step the Saudi government is taking toward the codification of laws and increasing the transparency—and hopefully the uniformity—of law enforcement.
Under New Law, Using Mobile While Driving Is a Punishable Offense
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab NewsJEDDAH, 8 November 2007 — Making mobile phone calls, reading newspapers or holding small children in laps while driving will become punishable offenses under the new traffic law.
Violators will be fined up to SR500 for the offenses, said Maj. Gen. Fahd Al-Bishr, director general of the traffic department.
He said the new traffic law passed by the Council of Ministers last Monday would help reduce road accidents in the country. Last year alone, about 5,000 people were killed in accidents, he pointed out.
Al-Bishr said the new law, which mandates tough punishment for joyriders and denies a driving license to those convicted of taking or dealing in drugs, would come into effect in six months.
A Supreme Traffic Council for setting out traffic policies will be formed at the Interior Ministry. “The formation of the council will help take decisions to resolve traffic problems as well as enact new rules and regulations to cut down accidents that take valuable lives every day,†said the traffic chief.
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08:37,
I wasnt aware there were driving laws anywhere in the Middle East. I havent had the “pleasure” of driving in Saudi, but I have driven elsewhere in the Middle East. It is a nightmare and very dangerous.
One very young member of my wife’s extended family was killed crossing the road in Jeddah a few years back.
10:26,
Given that someone in Saudi Arabia dies every hour due to a traffic accident it is not surprising to learn that almost every Saudi family one may meet here in the Kingdom has lost someone due to a traffic fatality.
I am glad that the Kingdom is clamping down with stricter laws although given the large Saudi families I am skeptical on the ability to enforce a penalty if a child is on someone’s lap. I will routinely see 9 or more in a vehicle that should barely only accommodate 5 or 6.
Using the mobile is going to be another tough one to enforce. There is something about the region here, and not just unique to Saudi, that one cannot go without a mobile glued to the ear!
The joy riding remains a huge menace and I see it each night from my upper windows as the kids try to “out do” one another.
17:16,
Carol,
I think traffic fatality is such a big problem in Saudi and has been for the last 30 years, that the government should make whatever investment is necessary to fix it. This may require more cops, more equipments, additional court resources to prosecute offenders, etc. I have known many young people that died in accidents including close friends and family members. It is a shame that we have not got around to this for 30 years.
03:30,
Hi John, I hope my earlier comment in no way implied I was not in favor of stricter traffic laws put into place. I think it is much needed and do agree with you that it will require additional resources and equipment to enforce. It would also not be a bad idea for the Saudi government to mount a public awareness campaign complete with PSA (public service announcements) on both tv, radio and print.
Within the past few weeks I believe it was Arab News which had a piece stating every hour a death occurs as a result of a traffic fatality in the Kingdom.
And like you, we have lost family members here due to traffic accidents in the Kingdom.