JEDDAH, 15 May 2005 — The Traffic Department plans to introduce a new service for drivers to find out through SMS if they have committed any traffic violations.
“Anyone can inquire about traffic violations at any time from any place by sending a message to 88993 from their mobile phones,” the department said in a statement.
Saudis must give their ID numbers and expatriates their iqama numbers in order to receive the information, the department said, adding that the new service would be available within two months. The department intends to make maximum use of modern information technology to improve its public services. The SMS facility can also be used later to inform the public of the dates for renewing their vehicle registration and driving licenses. The department has already introduced an automatic telephone system to assist the public in asking about traffic violations. “We’ll soon introduce another service for the payment of driving and vehicle license fees through banks,” Al-Eqtisadiah quoted the department as saying.
The automatic telephone system, which was launched last year, allows the public to know about their fines by dialing 292-8888.
Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corp. recently launched a new electronic system through its ATMs that enables any account holder to pay a traffic fine. All the account holder has to do is enter the number of the traffic fine ticket and the amount will be deducted from their account.
The new electronic service is provided via the Internet, phone banking and through 1,300 ATMs spread all over the Kingdom.
Brig. Gen. Fahd Al-Bishr, director of the traffic department, said the changes were designed to give better quality services to motorists.
Members of the public can also inquire through the new electronic system about detailed information on the total number of fines with details concerning registry, the date of the violation and the amount.
