JEDDAH — The human rights cell based at the Public Security headquarters in Riyadh receives 3 million calls a month on its 989 number, most of which are related to the Saher system. Some inquire about the system while others complain about it. Informed sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette the 989 call center provides around 1 million callers each month with information about the business sector, conditions of obtaining firearms licenses and emergency numbers. The office has been in service since mid-2010. It seeks to allow citizens to express their suggestions, remarks and complaints regarding security officers. The service can provide 240 callers with accurate answers immediately at any one time. Soon, a new version of the service will be launched to serve 740 callers at the same time in Arabic and English. Callers will obtain information on what procedures to follow to complete their inquiries and will be able to follow up their initial queries. Sources at the Traffic Police Administration said the organization was going to intensify its efforts to crack down on drivers who tamper with their license plates to avoid being penalized by Saher cameras. New regulations have been issued to punish any driver who gets caught twice for the same violation, sources added. Violators will risk having their cars impounded for 30 days. The regulations seek to control this trend that has started to spread all over the Kingdom, one of the sources pointed out. Covering license plates or making their numbers illegible is one of the most common ways drivers use to cheat the system. Recent reports issued by the administration showed some drivers fold their front and rear license plates a little bit so that Saher cameras cannot record them. Some drivers hide the numbers by putting stickers on them, according to the reports. Hiding license plates from Saher cameras allow drivers to speed and drive recklessly. The latest figures issued by the administration showed Saher has reduced deaths from road accidents by 14 percent while injuries have been reduced by 43 percent. The average speed of motorists has decreased by 33 percent while violations have also decreased dramatically, according to the reports.
