Officials launch traffic safety awareness drive

RIYADH: With the opening of the academic year, Riyadh Traffic Department has urged 4.8 million motorists in the capital to respect traffic rules and regulations while taking all measures to regulate traffic flow. They also called on motorists to comply with instructions which will contribute to the smooth flow of traffic. The Directorate of Traffic, in cooperation with the Public Administration for Education in Riyadh, has launched a traffic safety campaign aimed at educating all motorists as well as both teachers and students about traffic regulations. An official spokesman said the campaign, under the direction of Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, also aims at raising the level of public safety. In a gesture aimed at strengthening the relationship between traffic police and motorists, officials of government agencies have distributed bouquets of roses, along with awareness pamphlets to motorists at many road intersections and traffic signals. They have also instructed motorists to correct their driving behavior in the interest of traffic safety. Nearly 2,000 traffic personnel and 1,500 patrol vehicles have been used to regulate traffic that coincided with the opening of the new academic year. Traffic personnel were seen guiding motorists to roads with low density in order to ease congestion and prevent traffic jams. The traffic control plan includes the presence of police near schools to prevent any actions that would adversely affect traffic. It also includes the presence of traffic patrols at King Khaled International Airport and covers lounges, both domestic and international. They also prevent the entry of trucks into the city during peak traffic hours. -arabnews