ASIR: The steep and windy roads alongside hair-raising precipices in the town of Bani Umru in Asir are the source of increasing complaints from locals who fear no end to the deaths and injuries that have resulted in the last three years from over 50 accidents. “Not two or three days go by without some awful accident occurring,” said local resident Saeed Bin Mar'i. “A lot of drivers who come through the area for the first time have no idea of the dangers, and most of the victims are people who are in the area vacationing and heading for Al-Namas or Abha.” With the approach of summer expected to bring an increase in traffic from holidaymakers, people in the town want urgent action. “Three people I know died over the cliff side,” said Abdul Rahman Salih. “The Roads Department needs to take a look at the cliff edges and transport in the area and find a way to address the problem as soon as possible.” Sa'ad Fayez says that truck drivers are frequently at fault in accidents. “Sometimes they lose control of their vehicles because their brakes can't cope with the incline and bends in the roads,” he said.
