Comments on: Saudis Reform Traffic Laws

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:02:31 +0000

It’s not just Yanbu, sadly! Tighter application of existing laws would go a long way to making the Saudi roads safer. But that would inconvenience a lot of people, including women who need their 14-year-old sons to drive them around!

By: yahia

yahia — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:47:36 +0000

Traffic violation was a big problom in Saudi Arabia.I am the victim , because in Yanbu city Mostly childern below the age of 18 was driving dangerously and their parents support them, that’s why so many accidents are happened.Then also the traffic department was not active. If any accident happened in any place may be one hour after the traffic police arrive that place, and also the lack of cameras and lack of properly fitted traffic signals was also a big problom especialy in Yanbu.

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:30:38 +0000

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.

By: Saudi in the US

Saudi in the US — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:16:18 +0000

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.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:26:01 +0000

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.

By: AbuSinan

AbuSinan — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:37:58 +0000

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.