Ahmed Mujali Okaz The Shoura Council will discuss traffic violations with a view to raising fines for those who commit them and will also consider trying reckless drivers before special courts. This was reported by Al-Riyadh newspaper about a month ago. The council decided to discuss the issue after it received reports from the Interior Ministry and also from its own security committee. I want to suggest the following points to the council to take into consideration while discussing the issue: q Drop all traffic violations against Saudis. This will be done initially for students, jobless citizens, retirees and the low-income people. If it is not possible to waive all the fines, at least they could be reduced by about 75 percent. This will be a gift from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who has poured many bounties on his subjects. If this royal gift is made, it will relieve citizens from the traffic fines that have broken their backs. The Saher fine should be reduced from SR300 to SR50. There should not be any high Saher fines so the system does not become a profitable trade. The traffic violations should not be linked to other public services except the ability to travel. It is not an Islamic practice to deprive citizens of government services because of simple traffic violations. Stop the impounding of cars and motorbikes, as the courtyards of the police stations are full to the brim now with confiscated vehicles.
Establish special sections at the directorate general of traffic to receive appeals against traffic tickets. Under the traffic system, fines against the judges, diplomats and other VIPs and their dependents are automatically dropped. The same thing should be done for all citizens who are unable to pay the fines. Finally, the respect of traffic rules is a sign of good upbringing and a social enlightenment.
