Faisal Aboobacker Ponnani Saudi Gazette DAMMAM — Authorities have begun concealing Saher traffic monitoring cameras in Dammam Corniche in an attempt to nail speeding motorists. The camera is housed in a cylindrical pillar, and motorists cannot easily recognize it especially during night time. This camera is installed in front of Marina Mall, which is situated in the busy Corniche area. The motorists who found out the camera passed on the information to their friends via social media network, cautioning others to be mindful of the hidden camera and reduce the speed within its location. The speed limit in this Dammam Corniche area is 80 kilometers. Authorities installed these types of hidden cameras to apprehend joy riders who usually speed above limits, especially during the weekends. “I noticed this camera while driving at night recently when it flagged a violator. I immediately took a picture of the camera and passed on the information to my acquaintances through the social media as a warning,” said Ronald, a Filipino.
The Saher traffic monitoring system, which uses a combination of cameras and radars to levy fines against 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 illegal measures of breaking the cameras and even attacking Saher personnel. Drivers have said the speed limits on some roads should be reconsidered and more speed limit signs should be erected. And sometimes drivers who commit a traffic violation do not know they have been fined because they do not receive a text message. Motorists who are aware of the locations of Saher cameras now slow down in their coverage areas and speed up when they pass these areas.
