2 m traffic violations in Jeddah last year

The Jeddah Traffic Department has said that two million traffic violations were recorded in the city last year. Meanwhile, the health department in the region said that causalities from traffic accidents occupy 50 percent of the total number of intensive-care unit beds available.
Wasllalah Alharbi, director of the Traffic Department, in Jeddah pointed out that 2 million traffic violations have been recorded in Jeddah during last year. “Our directorate is making efforts to reduce road accidents by installing pedestrian bridges for easing traffic congestion with the coordination of the Jeddah Secretariat,” he added.
The Arab Organization for Road Safety estimated that the death toll in Arab countries resulting from traffic accidents amounts to 45,000 and 250 causalities, some with permanent disabilities.
Intisar Filimban, head of the women and family affairs branch of the Arab Organization for Road Safety, said that introducing infrastructure projects and adopting the most advanced technologies in transportation will not bring results unless all citizens participate in traffic awareness campaigns.
“A pivotal role should be given to civil organizations and insurance companies to invest in and fund such awareness programs,” she said, adding: “Road accidents are getting more dangerous every day.” Hisham Al- Faleh, vice chairman of Prince Muhammad bin Naif for Traffic Safety, said “The agreement will contribute to reducing the number of traffic accidents.
Four agreements have been signed since the establishment of the chair,” he added.
The Global Status Report on Road Safety revealed that 21 percent of all countries have national and other policies to encourage walking and cycling, and 26 percent have plans and programs to separate road users who are in danger of being involved in traffic accidents.
“About third of hospital beds in Jeddah are occupied by traffic accident victims,” said Sami Badaoud, the general director of health affairs in Jeddah.