A source at the Traffic Police Department has said that a new system is in place allowing the department to detain persons in breach of traffic laws but also permitting the violators themselves to choose when they serve the sentence. The source said the move was part of the traffic regulations updating process and comes in response to criticism of traffic police for its on-the-spot detentions of motorists caught ignoring traffic lights. The new system sees a SR500-fine for jumping traffic lights which is doubled to SR1,000 if it is not paid within a month, the source said, adding that it also incurs a 24-hr detention. The fine cannot be paid without a traffic police form confirming that the driver had been detained for 24 hours. The source said the public should acquaint itself with the new Saher traffic system being put in place over the next six months. Several provinces have recently launched campaigns to create a general awareness about the new traffic regulations.
