Some motorists obscure their number plates from camera eyes using reflective tape. — SG photo Mohsen Al-Hazmi Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Many drivers have resorted to illegal methods to avoid getting their vehicles photographed by Saher cameras which are installed all over the Kingdom's roads. Drivers who access the country's highways frequently often use reflective tape to mask their license plates and avoid paying what would otherwise be costly speeding fines. The Saher traffic monitoring system, which uses a combination of cameras and radars to issue tickets to drivers who speed and run red lights, has not been popular with drivers ever since it was introduced on the Kingdom's roads in 2010. Many drivers have even taken the extreme and otherwise illegal measures of breaking the cameras and attacking Saher personnel. Supporters on the other hand have praised Saher for helping improve traffic safety by decreasing the number of accidents on the Kingdom's roads. Despite numerous unmarked vehicles on the Kingdom's highways and a recent pledge by the authorities to crack down on the practice, drivers continue to conceal their license plates. In Jeddah, a 19-year-old man, who claimed his name was Ahmed, said he resorted to masking his car's license plate in order to escape Saher and its financially burdensome traffic fines. “I paid SR7,000 in traffic violations a few months ago and my dad threatened to take my car away if I got any more tickets. A friend recommended that I go to a store that sells car accessories and buy reflective tape. I took his advice and I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in a long time," said Ahmed. When asked how he avoids police detection, Ahmed said he simply removes the tape when he reaches a police checkpoint. “My possession of this car depends on not getting any fines and I will do anything to make sure I abide by my father's condition." Ahmed's friend Feras, however, disagreed and said using the tape is a risk and if Ahmed gets caught, he will not only have to pay heavy fines but will have his vehicle impounded. “It is a big risk because police patrols are everywhere. If they catch him, they might even refer him to a court to be tried." When Okaz/Saudi Gazette visited several well-known car accessory stores, the owners claimed that they would never consent to selling the reflective tape because it is illegal. They did however admit that employees often sell the tape without their knowledge. “Our shops are licensed by the competent authorities and we work according to set guidelines and are subjected to unannounced visits where the discovery of reflective tape could mean big trouble," said a shop owner on condition of anonymity. One worried resident called on authorities to do more and crack down on the practice. “Actions must be taken and penalties must be imposed on those who break the law. The target may not only be Saher as some of these people, especially teenagers, may want to hide ‘crimes' other than speeding violations such as leaving the scene of an accident," said Muhammad Al-Muaeidi. “What if a driver who has masked his license plate is involved in a hit-and-run accident? We are basically giving people a free pass to break the law at the cost of law-abiding citizens," he added. Col. Zaid Al-Hashem, spokesman for Jeddah Traffic Department, said his department treated all cases involving tampering of license plates seriously. “We deal with violators firmly. People who commit such violations will bear the consequences. Motorists, especially young people, should abide by traffic laws as Saher and traffic policemen are there for their benefit," he said while warning against speeding and running red lights.
