DAMMAM, 7 September 2003 — Plainclothes traffic police have helped bring about a reduction in traffic violations, and the traffic officials in the Eastern Province have found them effective in enforcing traffic laws.
The traffic departments in the Eastern Province and Jeddah both deployed plainclothes officers on the streets five months ago.
In the Eastern Province this measure was first implemented in the twin cities of Dammam and Alkhobar and later expanded to other towns.
According to the traffic department, in the first few months many violators were arrested because there was no general awareness of the move. But the number later declined as drivers became cautious and began following the rules.
According to traffic police sources, the success of plainclothes traffic wardens in unmarked cars and posted at several locations in Dammam and Alkhobar encouraged the department to post them elsewhere in the region, too.
The sources admit that the new measure has brought down traffic violations in the region and they said the department expected a further decline in the coming months.
Most of the violations are committed either at intersections, where motorists tend to run red lights, or on the highways, where speed limits can easily be ignored.
