Sami Al-Maghamsi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MADINAH — A large number of accidents have lately been occurring regularly on the city's third ring road. It is largely because the Haramain train project being carried out near the road is causing chaos to drivers due to the temporary narrowing of the road. Because of this narrowing the road can barely accommodate two vehicles side-by-side. Trucks drive slowly and as other drivers try to pass them accidents tend to occur, motorists said. Drivers suggest widening the road to include one of the shoulders, while others blamed the frequent accidents on the lack of well-lit signs warning of ongoing road works, particularly at night. To escape congestion on the new road, motorists have been forced to use the obsolete and dangerous expressway between Madinah and Jeddah. The local director for roads, Zuhair Katib, said the contractor working on the project has placed enough lit signs at signals and detours. Over speeding and drivers' negligence in following the road signs are major factors behind accidents, he said. The contractor, he said, is working at full speed to complete the project. Spokesman for Madinah police Col. Omar Al-Nezawi said accidents happen because drivers do not adhere to the signboards.
