Traffic police in the governorate of Jeddah are putting into action their plans for the annual rush caused by the onset of the new school year. General Mohammed Hassan Al-Qahtani, head of Jeddah traffic, has said that 446 patrols have been sent out to all major hubs, junctions and road networks, accompanied by the requisite number of officers, to facilitate traffic and ease congestion. Stationary patrols, Al-Qahtani said, will be positioned at schools, colleges and universities, and one-way systems have been introduced at some of the institutions. The plan has also taken into account other areas of congestion caused by the return to school, such as bookshops and shopping centers where high numbers are expected as people stock up on necessary goods and materials. Al-Qahtani appealed to drivers for sensitivity and cooperation. “In view of insufficient parking space for all vehicles arriving at some schools which are close to main thoroughfares, we would ask drivers to avoid parking wherever they feel like and not to block traffic. Due to some works that are taking place in some areas we'd ask parents, guardians and all drivers to leave early and be patient, and try to avoid main areas of congestion such as Madina Street, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Street, and Falasteen Street.” “I'd like to see drivers respect the law out of conviction and not treat it as a passing measure imposed upon them, showing respect for traffic police when on journeys to and from school,” he added. All heavy vehicles and trucks will be prohibited from entering the city of Jeddah, including along fast roads and the Khair Overpass during the following peak hours: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Any failure to respect these provisions would be punished by law, Al-Qahtani said. Al-Qahtani further noted that the timings of traffic light changes along the routes of highest congestion would be reset to better cope with the expected traffic. – Okaz __
