Jeddah’s Traffic Department may soon deploy “Saher” speeding cameras in residential neighborhoods, said Brig. Gen. Zaid Al-Hamzi, department spokesman.

In an interview with Arab News, he said that more than 40 percent of traffic accidents take place in residential areas thanks to overspeeding.

“More than 80 percent of drivers who cause these accidents are below the age of 25,” he said.

“The project will be implemented over several phases until most local neighborhoods are covered. We have set up a traffic committee, whose members include experts in traffic safety, to propose suggestions and recommendations for this purpose,” he said.

“These recommendations will be referred to Riyadh’s Traffic Department for approval, which we expect soon.”

A scientific study recently reiterated the importance of monitoring speed in local streets and in residential areas, as well as major highways, since speeding incidents on these roads are too high compared with other more major streets.

The study, drafted by experts in traffic safety, noted that roads in residential areas experience more traffic around the clock thanks to schools and mosques being located nearby.

The study found that traffic accidents result in more than 20 fatalities and around 1,400 traffic accidents daily in Saudi Arabia.

This translates to more than 40,000 road-related injuries per year.

More than 80 percent of recorded motor impairments are the result of traffic accidents. In addition, more than 72 percent of fatalities involve victims in the younger age brackets.