Congestion chokes Riyadh’s main roads

Many residents in the Saudi capital continue to complain about daily heavy traffic at peak hours along main roads, which sometimes results in accidents, causing even more congestion.
Commuters are also held up going to work. “Just one accident is enough to cause severe traffic snarls on the road,” said Muhammad Junaid, a Pakistani accountant who has lived in the city for more than 11 years.
Observers claim that the number of vehicles in Riyadh has increased manifold due to the lack of local public transport facilities.
To remedy the situation, the government has taken steps by spending huge amounts on a sustainable rail projects in the Kingdom.
Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) has announced a $22.5 billion automated Riyadh Public Transport Project to enhance the quality of life for Riyadh's residents.
Khurais Road, which is the city’s main road, is congested during peak hours both in the morning and the afternoon.
“Adolescents are given expensive sports cars from an early age, which they often drive recklessly resulting in accidents,” says one driver.
Another factor accounting for road accidents in the capital is the lack of respect for new traffic rules and regulations and the continued use of mobile phones for calls and texting while driving.
Maleeha Ahmad, a Pakistani dentist in Riyadh, said: “It is saddening to know that the Kingdom has the highest road accident death toll even though it tops the list in business and industrial ventures.”
“Seventeen Saudis die every day on average due to traffic accidents,” she said.
She said that “this number translated into real life for me when my parents were involved in a road accident just last week. They suffered minor injuries but the trauma is immeasurable.”