MAKKAH — The head of the traffic department in Makkah said during a field inspection that his department would install in the upcoming months more than 60 new Saher cameras at street intersections in the city. Col. Salman Al-Jumaie said his department is running a campaign to crack down on drivers transporting illegals, concealing number plates and illegally modifying vehicles. He said any violator is at risk of incurring fines and having his car seized. He said the traffic department is cracking down on violators and there would be no exceptions. “Currently there are Saher cameras at seven street intersections,” he said. “In the near future we will install 60 new Saher cameras at more intersections. Our aim is to make Makkah free of traffic violations that result in terrible accidents, especially those resulting from running traffic lights. “An example of that is the Bashraheel traffic intersection in Al-Nureya. “There was a car accident every day at the intersection that were sometimes fatal before Saher cameras were installed. Since the cameras were installed there are absolutely no accidents.” Col. Al-Jumaie said that many people are angry at Saher cameras without realizing the positive results they bring in cutting down accident rates. He said the traffic department alleviated chronic traffic congestion in certain streets. He said last week there were more than 8,600 traffic fines issued and over 780 cars seized. Officers seized 101 cars whose drivers tried to cover the number plates. Al-Jumaie urged truck drivers to respect a ban on large vehicles in Makkah during peak hours. He said violators would be fined SR300.
