Waiting to pass any police checkpoint that has been mounted in Riyadh since the suicide attacks last month, we don’t feel frustrated or angry because we know that the measures are intended to protect lives and ensure everyone’s safety and security. Thus we tolerate the scorching summer heat and long queues. But is protecting people confined to searching for weapons, explosives or suspicious materials? Aren’t there other matters equally important that need to be taken into consideration and even require similar measures?
We all know that legislation has been enacted and measures enforced to tackle the problem of people without valid visas living illegally in the country. The measures include routine checks and launching vigorous campaigns to arrest and deport violators of the country’s laws. But right now we are faced with a more serious threat resulting from pollution in our streets. Health hazards are looming everywhere because of the emission of huge amounts of toxic gases from old cars.
I don’t call on the traffic police to assume the role of Ministry of Health officials or that of environmental protection agencies, but the least they could do is contribute to protecting people lives by keeping these vehicles off the streets. Many of these cars are so old they can’t be repaired and should be taken off the roads immediately.
Officers should be given the authority to prevent any such cars from operating and also from returning to the roads. Cars without stickers saying they have passed the periodical inspection check should be temporarily removed from use until their owners take proper care of things.
I remember having written about this problem since 1988 but with no hope for a solution in the horizon. Instead of the authorities moving to check the damage, more and more cars emitting dangerous gases and polluting our streets are appearing every day. This is an issue that requires the efforts of everyone, especially the media. We need to protect our health because death can come from things other than firearms and explosives. Air pollution could prove to be just as deadly.
Arab News From the Local Press 23 June 2003
