Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – A study has recommended allocating SR1.3 billion every year for traffic and road safety projects in order to reduce the high number of injuries and casualties in the Kingdom. The study conducted by the High Commission of Riyadh Development in collaboration with the Traffic Department here said that 10% of government spending should go into implementing road safety projects with more emphasis on programs that stress the importance of respecting road rules. Each accident that causes damage to property or vehicles requires pertinent traffic officers to spend at least an hour of their time to finish necessary paperwork and deal with the entire situation. Accidents that result in injuries require three hours while those which lead to death require 20 hours. The latest statistics indicated that accidents claimed 7,000 lives a year, resulted in 40,000 injuries, 30% with permanent disabilities. The country's loss per year from such accidents stand at SR21 billion. The Society of Children with Disabilities has, in collaboration with several government agencies, launched a campaign to raise awareness to curb traffic accidents.
