Okaz/Saudi Gazette

BURAIDAH – Motorists and passengers are afraid of Qassim-Hail-Al-Jouf International Road due to increasing number of traffic accidents it witnessed over the past years as people believe that those who have entered the road are lost and those who have crossed it are reborn.

The road lacks fuel stations, resting places and service centers as well as shops for selling food and other essential commodities. Many vehicles are seen halted along the road for not having fuel to reach their destinations as petrol stations are located far away.

Most motorists are forced to carry petrol and diesel in cans to use them under emergency, despite the danger posed by the move, especially in this extremely hot season.

The 630-km road between Qassim and Domat Al-Jandal lacks safety measures such as fences on both sides to prevent camels and other cattle from crossing the road. Stray camels have caused several deadly accidents on the road in the past years.

Potholes and dangerous curves, lack of street lights and absence of Red Crescent offices are other problems facing the road that links the Kingdom with Jordan.

Khalaf Al-Afnan described the road as extremely dangerous.

“Those who have entered this road will have a feeling that he is isolated from the rest of the world. While driving between Qassim to Hail you will not see any petrol and service station. The road is excellent but it lacks services,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

Bandar Bin Kassab Bin Mashloot said the road also lacked hotels and camel crossing passages. “We have noticed camels crossing the road between Jabba and Aleem,” he said and urged measures to prevent dunes from encroaching the road by planting trees and putting blocks.

“The most glaring drawback of this road is lack of mobile phone coverage,” he added.

For Yasser Al-Nazih traveling on this road is an adventure. “Passengers face a lot of difficulties due to lack of petrol stations and supply centers on the road,” he said and urged the Ministry of Transport to solve the problems facing this important artery.

Gharib Al-Shammari highlighted the significance of the road as it serves thousands of people who live in the Kingdom’s east, center and north.

Suhail Al-Suhaiman said motorists are forced to take petrol in cans to feed their vehicles when fuel tanks become empty. “Residents of Jabba cannot access the road,” said Habeeb Al-Shammari.

“Absence of Red Crescent offices makes it difficult to transport accident victims to hospitals and to provide them with first aid services,” he pointed out.

Saud Al-Oraifan urged businessmen to invest on petrol and service stations on the road. “There are a number of tourist centers along the road. Jabba is one of them,” he added.

Mohammed Al-Humaidi Al-Shammari, director general of the Transport Department in Qassim, denied claims that the Qassim-Hail Road lacked exits. “It has 13 exits including two passages for camel crossing,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

He blamed the absence of street lights on lack of electricity supply. “Some contractors have delayed works on some service projects, which will be completed shortly.”