JEDDAH: The contentious Saher traffic monitoring system has never been discussed by the Shoura Council, according to Dr. Abduljaleel Al-Saif, a member of the council for nine years. “I don't remember a Saher draft project being included in the agenda at the council while I have been a member, and I don't know if it was discussed before that.” He said he did not have any objections to the system itself, only the way it has been implemented. He said that if the system is to be implemented properly then there must be “comprehensive awareness programs on the concept of safety. These programs must be taught by professionals to the young at the early and later stages of education”. He said this will ensure children grow up with enough knowledge of the concept, as it is done in “advanced countries”. Then there would be considerate and respectful driving, he said. Respect for the law and considerate driving needs to be enhanced by education and awareness programs. “This would result in young children not throwing garbage into the street, for example, not because he or she is forced by his parents who would be fined, but because this kind of commitment (to not litter) would become (part) of society.” Al-Saif said the way Saher is being implemented is “very wrong”. The law gives a driver who gets a fine the right to object in court in 30 days, but general courts still refuse to accept such traffic cases because they say it does not fall within their jurisdiction. This despite a previous statement from the Supreme Judiciary Council that they are willing to receive and process traffic cases, he said. He said criticism against Saher is aimed at the lack of legal and organizational mechanisms, like implementing the right to object, which is included in the Traffic Act's 75th Article. The Kingdom witnesses every year half a million accidents and nine million traffic violations which imply judicial, financial and procedural issues. “People are wondering why they cannot submit their objections to courts so they can be processed and decided on according to the law.” Al-Saif reiterated that he was not objecting to the implementation of the system, but was calling for the institution of court procedures to tackle the shortcomings over the issue of traffic fines. “The problem with Saher is that it deals with vehicles while it should impose the fine on the violating driver,” he said. He said the law stipulates that a violating driver must be provided with a copy of the violation report, the photo, the type and place of violation, which is not applied currently when paying the fines. This is a clear violation of regulations, he said. He said the points system used in some countries abroad is the best because it aims at correcting behavior not imposing fines.
