Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — A policeman on a motorbike wearing his official uniform but without a cap ran a red light at Al-Shuhada Sqaure, Al-Zahra District, according to eyewitnesses. Makkah did not report the date of the incident but said other motorists were exasperated to see the officer breaking traffic laws. They condemned the policeman's actions and said he should be a role model for others. They also said by running the red light, the policeman was sending wrong signals about road behavior. Meanwhile, Makkah Traffic Police have launched a massive campaign against motorbikes in the holy city, arresting the drivers and confiscating their vehicles. Traffic police spokesman Capt. Ali Al-Zahrani said the crackdown started in areas where motorbikes gathered in certain districts and around a number of squares. He said the motorbike drivers were blocking the roads and endangering the lives of other motorists. The spokesman said 18 motorbikes were confiscated on the first day of the campaign, which started last week and will continue during the coming days. He said intensive traffic awareness campaigns would be organized in schools and educational institutions and would continue throughout the year. A number of Makkah residents called for harsher punishments against the motorbike drivers and said the SR150 fine against them was too little. The residents called for jail sentences to prevent motorbike drivers from breaking traffic laws.
