The traffic police now want cameras installed on all of Jeddah’s streets.

Traffic violations such as speeding and running red lights have dropped drastically since the introduction of Saher cameras on Jeddah’s main roads, according to the city’s traffic department.

Brig. Gen. Zaid Al-Hamzi, spokesman of the traffic department, said that the police now want the government to introduce cameras covering all the city’s streets.

Young drivers polled by Arab News said they welcomed the reduction because of the introduction of cameras.

However, they said officials should make a distinction between serious violations such as running red lights and speeding, and those less serious ones involving not wearing seat belts, talking on telephones while driving and parking incorrectly.

They said that the traffic department should also not double the fines of those who do not pay within a month because this makes it even more difficult for offenders to pay up.

Abdullah Asiri said that drivers must learn from the many tragic accidents that have killed and maimed many in the city. He said the government should not double fines for minor offenses.

Mohammed Al-Asmari, another driver, echoed this view. “A university student may find it difficult to pay double for an offense of parking incorrectly. There is no parking in many places in the city.”

Another driver, Walid, said that many students and their parents cannot afford to pay fines within a month. In addition, some parents of students refuse to pay the fines of their sons.

Bandar Salem said drivers in this country must be more careful because they could claim lives. Many reckless young drivers have caused the death of fathers, mothers and brothers. He supported the doubling of fines for those who speed and run red lights.

 
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