Jeddah records 5,000 traffic violations during Eid holidays JEDDAH: Nadim Al-Hamid Published — Monday 19 August 2013 Saher cameras in Jeddah have detected more than 5,000 traffic violations including running the red light, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays. Zaid Hamzi, spokesman for Jeddah Traffic Department, said other violations caught on the Saher cameras included stopping in driving lanes, illegal parking, and crossing lanes without giving signals. He said that 50 percent of the traffic violations were committed by teenage drivers who had not reached the legal age of driving, which not only endangers their lives but also the lives of other motorists and pedestrians. Hamzi appealed to parents not to allow children under the legal driving age to drive. Despite the constant awareness campaigns organized by the Traffic Department urging drivers to abide by traffic regulations, there has been an increase in the number of violations in Jeddah, Hamzi said. All drivers are advised to follow traffic regulations and avoid driving over the speed limit on the main and side roads, as most of the roads are under surveillance by traffic patrols as well as Saher monitoring cameras. According to the official spokesman, the Traffic Department emphasizes self-restraint among drivers however, he emphasized the department will not hesitate to impose penalties on violating drivers if necessary. Fahad Al Sobaini, a 22-year-old , said he eagerly awaits for Eid Al-Fitr every year when he and his friends cruise the streets of Jeddah in his luxury 2013 Mercedes Benz, especially Tahlia Street, Malek Road and the Corniche area. Despite knowing that several Saher cameras are installed throughout most of the city’s main streets, Al-Sobaini admits that this does not stop him from jumping traffic signals and exceeding the legal speed limit, often upon the encouragement of his friends. Eventually, after numerous warnings, Al-Sobaini’s father took the car keys away from him after he ran up SR6,000 fines. #sunnyxtreme
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 06:21:14 +0000