Passport and labor officials check documents of expat workers during a campaign in Al-Ahsa on Tuesday. (SPA)

MADINAH — Over 24,000 motorists were issued tickets for various violations during extensive traffic police campaigns that began in the city on Aug. 1. The head of Madinah Police, Gen. Mohammad Al-Shamabri, said the campaigns were launched immediately after Eid Al-Fitr holidays and have been helped by the 21 cameras that were placed at major intersections.

“All preparations for the new school year are in place, especially for areas that usually witness traffic congestion around new projects in the central area of the city,” he said.

He added traffic lights have also been programmed to allow for the smooth flow of traffic during the morning and afternoon hours.

Earlier this month, media reports said the Saudi capital recorded more than five traffic offenses every minute and most of them involved speeding and jumping red lights.

Traffic police in the city issued a whopping 23,000 tickets to offending drivers during a campaign that started in the beginning of the month, an average 7,666 offenses a day, 319 an hour and 5.3 a minute.

Recently, the Traffic General Directorate has warned that motorists jumping red lights will get 24-hour detention plus fine. According to the new traffic regulation, fines slapped under Saher traffic system on those jumping signals will be accepted only after the violators have served 24-hour detention.

The directorate, which started implementing the new regulation, has made necessary changes in the online traffic ticketing system.

 
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