Interior and Municipalities Minister, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, led an emergency meeting of the National Traffic Safety Committee, attended by committee members, representatives from concerned ministries and administrations, as well as various associations and organizations active in traffic safety, to discuss the current state of road safety and the progress of implemented measures.
The meeting included assessments of current measures and the execution of recommendations and plans targeting the reduction of road accidents and their causes. Discussions emphasized enhancing compliance with traffic safety rules, coordinated efforts among ministries, departments, and relevant bodies, and addressing hotspots with high accident rates. The focus also included intensifying awareness campaigns on safe driving and respecting traffic signals and speed limits, considering recent data from the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces which indicates an increase in accident rates due to excessive speed (33%) and distracted driving (40%) during the second half of August.
Minister Al-Hajjar requested the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces to continue enforcing traffic laws and take necessary measures to address traffic violations seriously, particularly those aimed at enhancing road safety and reducing accidents.
He stressed that traffic safety is a shared responsibility, highlighting the importance of transitioning from recommendations to actual implementation, applying measures with seriousness and firmness, and maintaining roads to meet traffic safety requirements.
Al-Hajjar noted that while official bodies hold responsibility, citizens also have a crucial role, urging drivers not to dismiss the gravity of risking their lives and those of others. He called for adherence to traffic laws and cooperation with the Internal Security Forces and municipal police, as well as strict compliance with traffic guidance.