MAKKAH: A new commission has been formed to deal with any complaints from the public, including traffic fines, said Colonel Meshal Al-Megrabi, the newly-appointed Traffic Police Director in Makkah. He said the commission is authorized to receive complaints from anyone who thinks the traffic police have done him an injustice. The commission's members will probe the authenticity of the complaints so that justice can take its course. He said that the Saher system has been a success, although as with any man-made plan, there have been some shortcomings and imperfections. He said the merits of the Saher system outweigh its problems. “By all standards, the system has significantly reduced the rate of traffic accidents, especially those resulting from recklessness and speeding. If your speeding son is given a (fine) of SR500, it is a hundred times better than killing himself or risking the lives of innocent people. This amount is worth his life and the lives of others. It should be understood that this system has been introduced in the interest of the public to reign in and restrain negligent and reckless drivers.” He said that traffic violations are accurately documented by Saher's cameras. “The system is very accurate, so when a motorist commits a traffic violation, we show him a picture of his car and number plate on the screen. There is no room for maneuvering or doubt as the system has been designed to document any kind of traffic violation.” He said the traffic departments in the various regions of the Kingdom, regularly revise and assess the system. So far no shortcoming in the system has been found. He added that the traffic department in Makkah will introduce the second phase of the Saher system in the next two months. Al-Megrabi admitted that there is a shortage of traffic police officers in Makkah and also regular traffic congestion because of motorists failing to comply with traffic regulations. On attempts by some motorists to circumvent the law by removing or hiding their number plates, he said: “Traffic law stipulates that any car or vehicle without a number plate shall be impounded. It also makes it mandatory for the owner of such a car to approach the licenses section at the traffic department to get a new one. Driving without a number plate is a major punishable offense.” He revealed a plan by the department to introduce shuttle trips to the Grand Mosque for pilgrims, using a fleet of buses, during specific hours; and to stop all small cars from entering the central area to reduce congestion and make it easier for pedestrians. He said a meeting will be held soon with all the relevant role players to discuss the shuttle service. He said the service was tested during last Ramadan for a period of two hours at certain times, for worshippers traveling from the Sad Tunnel to King Abdul Aziz Gate at the Grand Mosque. This had helped to prevent traffic jams at peak hours.
