No new system in the country has stirred as much controversy as Saher, the automated monitoring system that uses cameras to catch and fine those committing traffic violations. Over the last two years, the system has created a wave of public resentment to the extent that a Saher worker was recently shot dead in a village near Riyadh. This is only one of the problems that Saher faces. These problems cannot be dealt with by placing Saher vehicles and employees under the protection of the Roads Security Forces, as some have proposed, because the system operates across the Kingdom. The killing of the Saher worker shows that the proposal will not be adequate to protect Saher employees. One practical solution is to gain the trust and confidence of citizens in the system. This will not only protect Saher employees but will also enable the system to play the role for which it was created, namely to protect people's lives and property. One of the main reasons for public resentment of the Saher system is that it was not well-introduced and its advantages were not played up by the media. Another reason is that its fines increase astronomically if they are not paid within 30 days. Saher authorities should repair the crack in the system's relationship with the public, a relationship that has been shrouded by public mistrust. This is where intellectuals, religious scholars and other thinkers could also play a role by enlightening the public on how the system has helped to reduce the rate of fatal accidents and, hence, deaths on the Kingdom's roads. If the public can see the advantages, Saher employees and vehicles will be safe. __
