Director General of Traffic Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Ajlan told Al-Madinah newspaper that the current penalty system is “temporary” until the courts are established. He added that the courts will fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.

Al-Ajlan said a recent conference held in Riyadh for directors of traffic from across the Kingdom recommended administrative procedures, such as the issuing of driving licenses and the registration of vehicles, must be expedited.

“The conference focused on violations which cause traffic accidents, such as running red lights, speeding, joy riding and driving in reverse along streets, with a view to curbing these violations,” he said. He added that a strategy to reduce traffic accidents is also to be formulated.

The director general also disclosed that a traffic campaign is currently under way. “This campaign will continue until the end of the year and will then be evaluated,” he added.

Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s highest road accident rates. Last year 485,931 accidents took place in the country, killing 6,458 people and injuring 36,486.