Saudi Gazette report ABHA — In the past two and a half years, the mountainous roads in the south of the Kingdom witnessed 147 major traffic accidents, killing at least 60 people and injuring 343 others. These roads are used daily by thousands of commuters; some of them leave their homes never to return, while others come back crippled or incapacitated. Those who survive one day face another road adventure the next day. Residents claim narrow roads and a lack of maintenance are contributing factors while police attribute the accidents to excessive speed, incorrect overtaking and a high volume of traffic. Mohammad Aseeri said devil lurks on these roads. He said he had lost a number of relatives and friends to accidents, which are an everyday occurrence due to the rugged nature of the region. Aseeri said roads in the area have many turns and curves, which are particularly dangerous when it rains. He admitted that some drivers are reckless and do not value their lives or the lives of others. They drive at excessive speeds and do not follow the speed limit signs. He, however, added that these roads should be widened to allow easy overtaking and Red Crescent and Civil Defense centers should be set up along the roads to send quick help to accident victims. Abeer Al-Alkami, a teacher who regularly uses one of these roads to reach her school in a remote area, said accidents continue to claim lives without any solution in sight. Al-Alkami had lost several of her colleagues to accidents and has become apprehensive of traveling. She said these roads cannot accommodate heavy traffic anymore, especially during holiday seasons when many visitors come to the region. She added that road pile-ups are a common occurrence, causing huge traffic jams with the line of vehicles sometimes extending up to more than two kilometers. These traffic jams prevent Red Crescent and Civil Defense vehicles from reaching accident sites, putting rescue workers in a helpless situation. Saeed Al-Aseeri is wary of driving on these roads, especially during the rainy season. The rain causes rocks to fall on to passing vehicles, or on the roads, blocking off traffic. He said these roads are extremely steep and unsuitable for large trucks and buses, which often are involved in tragic accidents. The cement barriers along these roads cannot hold off large vehicles that crash into them and they hurtle down the high cliffs. Al-Aseeri said he recently saw a bus engulfed in fire, but all the occupants had a miraculous escape. On another occasion, he witnessed a truck falling off a high cliff. The driver was not lucky this time. He died because the Red Crescent team arrived too late to offer any medical assistance. Sarah Saeed said her 19-year-old step brother finally came to live with her after a long separation due to family disputes. She was very happy and proud to have her elder brother beside her, her happiness was short lived, when he died in an accident while coming back home from a trip. Another of his friends also died in the accident, and a third companion was paralyzed for life. Spokesman of Asir Traffic Police Lt. Col. Mohammad Al-Aseeri said there were 147 accidents on these roads during the past 30 months, which resulted in 60 deaths and 343 injuries. He said excessive speed, especially at dangerous curves, is the main cause of the accidents. He said drivers who wrongly overtake other vehicles also contribute to the problem. Some accidents are caused by faulty breaks, which causes them to swerve off their lane, he added. The Asir Traffic Department has submitted to the authorities several specialized studies regarding these roads and have asked for the widening of the roads. He said Asir Emir Prince Faisal Bin Khalid has submitted the recommendations to the Ministry of Transport. Spokesman for Asir Red Crescent Ahmad Aseeri said the main reason for accidents on the mountain roads is the high volume of traffic, especially during the winter months. He added that the difficult terrain prevents their vehicles from reaching accident sites on time. Aseeri claimed some of these roads do not have traffic and warning signs, putting drivers, especially those who are not familiar with the roads, at great risk. He said there are plans to set up permanent Red Crescent centers along these roads. Ali Misfer, director of the Asir Roads Department, said the Ministry of Transport is currently executing many projects in the region. They include new roads and additional lanes on existing roads.
