According to Bin Askar, motorists in Saudi Arabia break traffic laws because they like to show off, another reason is they struggle to commit themselves to following systems and rules. He also said many violations are caused by drivers who are not old enough to drive.
“People in the Kingdom refuse to follow rules, or commit themselves to undertake educational programs that would help them become better drivers. People have been driving badly for many years and changing this is very difficult,” he said.
“The main problem is the fact that many people are not prepared to follow systems and respect rules, and always want to go first and not wait their turns,” he added.
Lack of maturity is another reason why motorists run red lights. “Most drivers on the Kingdom's roads are Saudis and many of them are below 18; you can't expect them to be mature,” said Bin Askar.
“This is particularly the case since Saudi teens have an image they want to maintain and so they show off when they're behind the wheel,” he added.
“Most young drivers are eager to drive in a way that attracts the attention of others, especially girls. Research shows that people driving cars try their utmost to show off and pay no attention to traffic rules, the damage they may cause to their cars and the risk to themselves,” said Bin Askar.
The professor said he has carried out research showing that youngsters living in rural areas are more likely to drive.
“Families living in rural areas like to give their sons responsibilities and ask them to learn how to drive at an early age so they can start driving around their sisters and mothers, and do other chores like going to the store,” he said.
Such families live on small budgets and cannot afford drivers. “These families also tend to be more religious and do not approve of their women folk sitting in cars alone with unrelated drivers,” he added.
He further called on parents not to allow their children to drive unless they are 18, which is the age when a person is legally entitled to have a driving license in the Kingdom.
Col. Mohammed Hassan Al-Qahtani, director of traffic in Jeddah, said most road accidents happen because of motorists not following traffic rules, especially running red lights.
“An increase in the number of awareness campaigns on how to drive and encouraging people to be socially responsible would help resolve this matter,” said Al-Qahtani, who recently launched a new traffic program entitled “Your Safety.”
