AL-WAJH – Mohammed Al-Suhaimi was in tears when he spoke about a road accident in Uqbat Bada, 100 km east of Wajh. Al-Suhaimi lost six members of his family in that horrible crash about a week ago. He urged the authorities to make the road safer to avoid more fatal accidents. "I was shocked when I heard the death of my brother, his wife and four children in a horrendous accident in Uqba but I soon realized that death is an undeniable fact and we should believe in fate and be content with the will of God," Al-Suhaimi said while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette. However, he urged the authorities to take immediate steps to prevent recurrent accidents in Uqbat Bada. "The Transport Ministry should take action to make this 1.5 km-stretch of road safer to motorists. The road needs to be redesigned with new solutions in light of recurring accidents," he explained. Mansour Bin Motair Al-Suhaimi, a relative of an accident victim, said the Uqbat Bada road has become a death trap. He called for constructing a bridge to save passengers. "More accidents are likely to occur on this road if safety measures are not put in place quickly." Sulaiman Al-Quwaiaani said a number of mistakes have occurred while constructing the road, which has many steep slopes and dangerous curves. Motorists will find it difficult to control their vehicles while getting down from the mountainous road, he added. "We need an immediate solution to prevent recurring accidents on this road," Al-Quwaiaani told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. "The road was closed for two years for maintenance but it did not stop the accidents," he pointed out. Mansour Al-Wabsi said the road would get more dangerous during rains. "The road lacks basic safety conditions," added Sulaiman Al-Balawi. "Instead of reducing the distance to Uqbat Bada, the road was killing motorists and passengers," he added. Meanwhile, a paramedic, who requested anonymity, said traveling on this road is terrifying. "It's not easy to provide first-aid services to accident victims in Uqba. People often fall from the mountain to the valley. Moving them on stretchers make them more vulnerable." He blamed the Transport Ministry for every drop of blood fallen on this road while calling on the authorities to find a quick solution to the problem and save precious lives.
