According to statistics of the Traffic Safety Committee in the Eastern Province there were 119 motorcycle accidents and 19 deaths in all cities of the province from the beginning of last year (1435 H) until this month with 79 accidents recorded in Dammam alone.

The alarming number of fatalities due to motorcycle accidents calls for an urgent need to find speedy solutions to curb the loss of young lives including awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of motorcycling at high speed.

Most accidents in Dammam occur in locations such as the King Fahd International Airport, Dammam and Alkhobar Corniche, and Half Moon Bay, where the road turns into an arena for motorcycle racing.

Specialists say that the main reasons for motorcycle deaths are the neglect of traffic rules and lack of attention or knowledge of riding motorbikes with cars sharing the same lanes.

Salman Rashid from Dammam said that the phenomenon of motorcycle-related risks requires more decisive action by competent authorities.

“There is an urgent need to intensify community awareness through schools, social media and the home, particularly as most motorcyclists are young and ride without driving licenses,” he added.

Muhammad Ali said that owners of motorcycles commit a crime against families and pedestrians when they ride recklessly at high speed in residential areas exposing themselves and others to danger.