They are allegedly working with Asian nationals who act as agents for this lucrative business in the Kingdom as well as in the Gulf, according to a report in Al-Madinah daily.

The number of traffic violations and road accidents has decreased considerably in Riyadh after the introduction of the state-of-the-art traffic monitoring system nearly four months ago.

Since the system is doing a good job in catching every single violator of traffic regulations, some reckless drivers are reportedly resorting to various methods to evade the system.

Director of Traffic in Riyadh province Col. Abdul Rahman Al-Moqbil, who is also head of the Saher system, warned last month that strict punitive measures would be taken against those who use any methods to escape detection.

His warning came following online reports about the availability of a new device called Cobra 15-Band Radar, which can alert the user about all types of highly advanced radars, including the one used in Saher.

However, new methods to dodge the system involve changing number plates and using a special spray to mask vehicles. Some of these youths buy old number plates of vehicles registered in other GCC states from agents.

These agents managed to collect these plates either from their accomplices in other Gulf states or by smuggling them in through various land border entry points. Some agents also sell forged number plates.

An original number plate costs up to SR4,000, while a forged one can cost as much as SR1,500, an agent told Al-Madinah.

Saud, a Saudi youth in Riyadh, said that he was caught several times by Saher and accumulated fines of more than SR5,000 within a short span of time.

“In the meantime, an Asian agent told me that he could help me evade Saher by replacing my number plate with that of another Gulf state,” he said.

“I liked the idea and bought a GCC number plate and gave a huge amount of money as commission to the agent. Now, I drive through all districts of Riyadh without fearing Saher. However, I am careful not to go over 150 km per hour.”

Another citizen told the newspaper that there were some foreigners in the border regions who work with agents in Riyadh and other major cities to smuggle in number plates from GCC states, especially Kuwait. They have to pay around SR2,500 for each plate.

Col. Abdul Aziz Abu Haimad, acting director for the Traffic Department in Riyadh, warned against those using forged number plates.

“If anybody is caught with a forged number plate, his vehicle will be seized until he produces the original one. The case will also be referred to the Traffic Department’s settlement commission,” he said.

He added that strict punitive measures would be taken against those caught with forged number plates.

A source at the Riyadh Traffic Department said Saher would also detect violations committed by drivers of vehicles registered in other GCC states.

Meanwhile, Customs Director Gen. Saleh Al-Kholaiwi has reportedly informed all entry points to be vigilant of smugglers trying to bring in the so-called “Saher spray,” which apparently helps motorists dodge detection.

This directive follows online reports about the availability of some types of sprays that can mask number plates from Saher cameras. Riyadh’s King Khaled Airport Customs recently seized three such aerosols, the newspaper reported.