JEDDAH: Traffic patrols close to secondary schools in the city will be increased when the end of term examinations begin next week, according to a traffic official in Jeddah. The traffic police have observed during examinations that secondary students tend to behave in ways that cause many accidents.
“A new strategy planned by police to end joyriding around schools is sending secret patrols with the collaboration of selected teachers and students to locations close to secondary schools,” Director of Jeddah Traffic Police Col. Muhammad Hassan Al-Qahtani said on Monday.
“Joyriding is a traffic violation carrying a fine of SR1,000 and a 15-day detention of the car used for joyriding. A special court will decide the joyrider’s jail sentence,” Al-Qahtani added.
If the offense is repeated a second time, the fine will be raised to SR1,500 and the car will be detained for a month. The jail time will be determined by the court, the official said.
In case of one who commits the offense a third time, the fine will be SR2,000. The court will decide the jail time and the car will be seized for good. If the seized car belongs to another person or to a rental company, the offender will have to pay its price, he said.
Speaking about traffic patrols in general, Al-Qahtani said patrols were deployed at all main roads, squares, and intersections in addition to locations near schools and colleges.
“Implementation of a one way system in streets close to schools and colleges helps students to reach schools in time,” he said.
However, he advised students to start from their homes sufficiently early during examinations in order to avoid delays caused by construction or repair works on roads in the city. He added that the timing system of signals at major intersections is constantly updated.
