Police launch traffic campaign

The enforcement drive has been launched in response to the high number of road accidents and reckless driving in the region. As part of the drive police are establishing checkpoints across the city, using unmarked police cars, and ensuring passengers are wearing seat belts and not running traffic lights.
“The campaign is being held to spread awareness among citizens and residents, and to educate them on how to drive properly and not to violate road-traffic rules,” said Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Saadi, a Jeddah police official. “We hope everyone takes in the message and cooperates with us.”
Al-Saadi said traffic police wish to send out two messages: The first is aimed at members of the public, asking them to cooperate with the police; and the second is aimed at police officers, asking them to be fair when dealing with people and to be meticulous in their work.
According to statistics recently published by the General Directorate of Traffic, over 6,000 people died and over 36,000 people were injured in road accidents in 2008-09.