The National Human Rights Society (NHRS) in Makkah is set to discuss the ever increasing problem of traffic accidents. The meeting titled “Traffic accidents violate the right of living and physical safety,” will focus on a research paper dealing with traffic accidents as well as suggesting possible solutions. Experts have said traffic accidents cost Saudi Arabia SR18 billion every year, which includes damage to public property, compensation to families, and medical treatment. Talal Qasty, member of the NHRS will present a study detailing the reasons, suggestions and possible solutions to improve the mortality rate on the roads. The Traffic Administration issued statistics stating that one out of three hospital beds is occupied by traffic accident victims. In the last 25 years, 65,000 people were killed in traffic related accidents and 500,000 were injured. Police issued one million traffic violation tickets for speeding as well as crossing red lights. The meeting is to be held at the NHRS's headquarters in Jeddah and will be attended by representatives of the Shoura Council, Saudi Red Crescent, Jeddah Mayoralty, the General Court, the Administration of Education, King Fahd Hospital and car driving school officials. Another study by Ali Bin Sa'eed Al-Ghamdi and Colonel Ameen Bin Abdul Hameed Sa'eed stated 85 percent of accidents are caused by driver error. Additionally every hour two accidents are caused by poorly parked cars. The study also indicated that 30,000 accidents occur every year because of drivers overtaking on roads with traffic moving in different directions. More than 80,000 tickets are issued every year for illegal overtaking. Ghamdi and Colonel Ameen point out in their study that 20 percent of traffic accident victims are injured or killed when drivers are not paying attention to pedestrians while they are speeding. They also stated the use of mobile phones while driving produces a similar effect as being intoxicated because the driver is distracted and cannot react properly to what is happening. Several countries around the world have banned the use of mobile phones while driving. In the UK drivers caught using their mobile phone while driving are faced with a fine of £30 as well as jail time, according to a BBC report in December 2007. –Okaz __
