JEDDAH, 9 January 2003 — Anyone traveling to the southern parts of Saudi Arabia, for example to Jizan in the extreme southwest of the Kingdom, would be advised to give an emotional farewell to their family as though they may never be seen again. The reason is that the roads he is about to drive on are possibly among the most dangerous in the world.
According to Al-Watan newspaper, Aqaba Dhalae is the most dangerous area. Here, more than 45 people have been killed in the past nine months alone. Questions are always being asked about why officials do not do more to make the roads in Aqaba Dhalae safer, but nothing is ever done. For how long will the people have to put up with such unnecessary danger and death?
People from south are very aware that this road is very important and connect their area with the north.
Saad Al-Shahrani, a frequent visitor to the area, told Al-Watan that the Aqaba area is extremely beautiful and draws people from all over the Kingdom.
"If we want people to enjoy this beauty, we must complete the road system properly," he said. "Every time we drive on the main road especially we fear that we’ll be involved in an accident. It’s very narrow and has many dangerous curves. Every time I cross the road, I pray to God to help me reach the other side safely."
Abdullah Qahtani, who works as a teacher in a village in the Tihama region on the Red Sea coast, said that he must cross Aqaba Dhalae area twice a day.
He cannot forget that day when he almost drowned in his car because of floods. There is no drainage system so after it rains water is suddenly everywhere. On that day Qahtani had to abandon his car and run to higher ground, aware of the fact that he was only just escaping death.
Yahya Musa, whose cousin died in a traffic accident on the road, asks why officials are putting off completing the road.
"We heard 13 years ago that they had been given money for this project, but so far we have seen no improvement," he told Al-Watan.
"The road itself is only 50 km long, but it is claiming too many lives."
Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Somali, a senior transport official in Asir, told Al-Watan that a lack of funds is the main cause of the delay in completing the road.
"We have finished the first and second stages of the project," he said. "We are now waiting for more financial support, SR40 million, so we can finish the third and final stage. We have submitted a report to the ministry."
