Motorists who drive over road dividers to skip traffic congestion will be fined SR500 for the first violation and their vehicles will be confiscated for one week if the same offense is repeated thereafter, said Brig. Zaid Al-Hamzi, Jeddah Traffic Department spokesman.
“Traffic and patrol police have observed more than 150 cases of this specific violation during the past month,” Al-Hamzi told Arab News. He urged parents and guardians not to give their vehicles to teenagers who have committed such traffic violations in the past.
“We have instructed traffic police to monitor drivers crossing dividers to issue tickets to them,” he said.
Arab News observed many drivers crossing the central pathways of Jeddah’s roads to avoid long lines ahead of traffic lights.
Such a phenomenon not only harms vehicles and pathways, but also causes traffic accidents.
Kenan Jaber, a resident, said teenagers are fond of such driving stunts. “I am happy to see that the traffic department has launched a campaign to track down and punish violators,” he told Arab News.
He said many pathways in Jeddah have been damaged as a result of this practice. “The movement of heavy trucks has damaged many roads in the city and should be quickly renovated to avoid accidents,” he said.
Hussein Mosly, a Saudi citizen, said that the ongoing traffic campaign would help stop this practice. “Most dividers in the middle of roads can be crossed easily. Many people exploit this situation.”
Hassan Al-Fahmi, Saeed Al-Rushaidy and Taher Bakhsh, also residents, warned the public against this practice, saying it could lead to fatal accidents. They also called for tougher punishment against such violators.