Col. Muhammad Hassan Al-Qahtani, director of Jeddah Traffic Department, said the plan was part of a long-term strategy designed to reduce the number of road accidents and deaths during the exam period. “The plan covers most of Jeddah’s main roads. There will be additional traffic squads, especially around schools during the two-week period,” said Al-Qahtani.

The department will cooperate with the Ministry of Education to avoid accidents and problems like students spending time around malls and girls’ schools and joy riding.

According to Al-Qahtani, the main roads are not the only places that would see traffic officials and police deployed. “They will also be around unidentified schools, universities, and institutions. Police will be available to control the movement from the time the exams begin until afternoon,” he said. Besides, he added, the police will organize the traffic flow to make it easy for the students to avoid jams.

The Traffic Department and the Ministry of Education have decided not to allow students to leave schools until their exam hours were over in order to protect them from accidents, he revealed. “During the exam period, most of the young students try to leave early and drive recklessly, which causes accidents.”

Teachers and students will cooperate with the Traffic Department by informing it about any violation of rules. “Undercover police officers, students and teachers will tip us off about students who left school early. Students who speed and do stunts will also be arrested.”

For violating rules, students risk being fined SR1,000, having their vehicles seized, or being taken to court. “If the student repeats the violation, we will fine him SR1,500 and impound his vehicle,” stated Al-Qahtani.

To prevent jams, Al-Qahtani called on students to leave home early, given the large amount of roadwork currently in progress.

“In case of accidents, the police will be ready to complete paperwork quickly in order to help students reach schools on time,” he added. Traffic signals on main roads will be monitored to shorten the waiting time. Al-Qahtani said trucks would not be allowed to operate in the city during peak hours — 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 12 noon to 3 p.m.

Al-Qahtani also drew attention to parents’ responsibility: “I hope parents do not allow children who do not have driving licenses to drive. Parents should check up on their sons in times of exams end ensure they return home on time.”