The Kingdom's national traffic strategy currently being drafted will enhance the Saher system and prevent overlapping efforts by various government ministries, according to Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Abdul Aali, head of the team preparing the document. In response to questions from Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Al-Abdul Aali said the strategy will be submitted for royal approval within two months. It will probably be ready for implementation within the next few months, he added. The budget for the strategy will be much less than the SR21 billion it currently costs the government in terms of traffic accidents, he added.He said the new plan will ensure there is less duplication of efforts between the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the national Traffic Department. “Since the formation of the National Committee for Traffic Safety in 1984 (1404H), many studies were conducted, aside from numerous conferences to discuss traffic issues. It became clear that the essence of the problem was the absence of a national strategy for traffic safety. There was widespread duplication of tasks and a lack of coordination, which resulted in an increasing number of traffic accidents.” As a result, said Al-Abdul Aali, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) came up with a proposal to prepare a national strategic plan for traffic safety, which was approved by Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior. A supervisory committee was formed comprising representatives from KACST, the ministries of economy and planning, transport and municipal and rural affairs and the Traffic Department. The function of the committee is to oversee implementation. Also, an executive committee of representatives from the above mentioned ministries and authorities, including the Riyadh Mayoralty and traffic safety specialists, was formed. Its function is to determine areas of research and other tasks. There are also representatives from all other government authorities involved in the process. Also, meetings are held periodically with the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce. An international consultancy is involved in drawing up the strategy. He said there is a “clear vision” to reduce traffic accidents on the Kingdom's roads. “The strategy will deal with all the elements related to the traffic system including regulations, roads, vehicles, education, first-aid and ambulatory services, financial and human capabilities, urban planning and public transport.” __
