Traffic campaign begins today

ABHA, 21 September — A major traffic awareness campaign begins today as part of the Kingdom’s continuing efforts to cut down on the number of traffic accidents. Interior Minister Prince Naif will launch the drive during the inauguration of the 10th conference of police directors at Abha Palace Hotel here.

Lt. Gen. Asaad Abdul Kareem Al-Fareeh, director of public security, said this year’s traffic campaign would focus on cooperative insurance in light of the Cabinet decision to enforce third party insurance on drivers. The last two phases of the campaign focused on general traffic awareness and security and safety matters.

"Ieqilha...Wa Tawakkal" (Take precaution and then entrust on God) is the main theme which is taken from a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who instructed a companion to fetter his camel first and then entrust on God.

Lt. Gen. Fareeh said the last two phases of the campaign saw the enforcement of safety belts and promotion of public awareness of traffic rules. "From the last two phases we have learned the importance of direct contacts between traffic police and the public to enhance traffic awareness," he added.

He said police officers who are in direct contact with the public have been instructed to behave decently. "We have taken steps to avoid the mistakes that had happened during the past two phases," the security chief said.

The new cooperative insurance would be implemented beginning Ramadan 15 (Nov. 20), he said. "It would be a good opportunity for drivers to reduce traffic violations and accidents."

Brig. Ali Al-Hazimi, director of police in the Asir region, said booklets and brochures would be distributed among the public during the campaign to enhance their traffic awareness.

Efforts are also under way to organize a security exhibition and a camp in Miftaha, near Abha, he said. "We have also planned to organize a number of lectures and seminars as part of the campaign," he added.

The Council of Ministers decided last October to enforce mandatory third-party insurance on all vehicles in the country. The Cabinet authorized the interior minister to execute the new law in stages.

The meeting decided to allow licensed cooperative insurance companies in the Kingdom to provide car insurance. However, it insisted that such companies should have the required capabilities and must comply with the Kingdom’s car insurance standards.

The consultative Shoura Council earlier endorsed the draft law on car insurance, which is applied officially for the first time in the Kingdom.

The Interior Ministry will review the application of the new law and its results and present a report to the Cabinet within three years.

The car insurance will cover vehicles, property, death and damages to victims of an accident in which the insured party is involved, a reliable source said.

Several studies have revealed that most drivers involved in accidents are unable to pay damages. These drivers remain in prison until their obligations are met.