Meslih Al-Harbi Okaz/Saudi Gazette Madinah – The main streets of Madinah have become the scene of repeated accidents involving pedestrians, city residents claimed. Speeding and a lack of pedestrian bridges and crossing are the reasons for these accidents, they said. Residents claimed that they lose a friend or relative every year due to accidents. The second ring road is a vital road in Madinah that witness heavy traffic and excessive speeding, but lacks pedestrian crossings. King Abdulaziz Street is 10 kilometers long and passes through many neighborhoods. Stores and markets are spread along the sides of the street. This causes pedestrians to continually cross the street, despite there being only one pedestrian bridge. The elderly find it difficult to use the bridge and have to cross the street even though it is a more risky option, residents said. Al-Salam Street is 15 kilometers long and witness heavy pedestrian traffic as it passes through schools, Taibah University, and a college for girls. In addition, stores line the sides of the road. There is only one pedestrian bridge in the street but this is not nearly enough, residents said. Residents said they try to avoid these streets as much as possible. They urged the traffic police and other concerned bodies to find solutions for these problems. Spokesman for Madinah police Col. Omar Al-Nazawi said the main streets are monitored. Saher cameras will be activated and undercover traffic police patrols will be increased, he said. He said pedestrian bridges are the responsibility of Madinah Municipality.
