MADINA: The head of Traffic Police in Madina has said that new Saher traffic camera regulations have come into effect for the way speeding offenses are captured and that “undercover teams” have been tasked with checking on Saher operating staff. Muhammad Al-Shanbari said that offenses will now be registered when motorists exceed the speed limit by over 10 percent, and gave explanatory examples. “On roads with speed limits of 100 kilometers per hour offenses will only be registered when vehicles travel at 111 kilometers per hour or more,” he said. “Where speed limits are 110 kilometers per hour, offenses will be registered at 122 kilometers per hour or over.” Al-Shanbari said the limits would ensure that drivers are alert to their traveling speeds. “They are not inconsistent with traffic safety regulations,” he said. He added that the operators of the Saher traffic camera system “are not in charge of traffic regulations” and “cannot take any measures unless instructed to do so by the Traffic Department”. “Undercover teams have been sent out in plain vehicles to keep an eye on the Saher mobile camera cars,” he said. “Their staff do not have the jurisdiction to move randomly or monitor whenever or wherever they want. They are subject to daily assessment to gauge their compliance with instructions from the Traffic Department.” He said the mobile camera vehicles are instructed to carry out duties at times and places set only by the Traffic Department. “For example, they are tasked with monitoring traffic during the school run, and have to start at six in the morning,” he said. “They are not allowed to start at five, or afterwards when traffic has eased.”
