Makkah

IN Bloomington, Indiana, I was going back home one night in the summer of 2011. Bloomington, home to Indiana University, used to be well-known among Saudis, especially academics, during the 80’s and 90’s.

Because it was late at night and the city seemed deserted, I ran a red light. I thought no one was out there watching because it was a small city that lived on the university students throughout the semesters. It completely shuts down during the summer, so how about a hour out at late night! I honestly thought I was the only one in the city.

After I passed the traffic light I saw the bright lights of a police car right behind me. I pulled over. The officer walked to my vehicle and said, “License and registration”. A few minutes later he returned and told me that I committed two traffic violations: speeding and running a red light, which is something he cannot let go. But because of my clean record and having no previous traffic violations, the officer will put a warning in the system for a month.

Violation systems around the world aim to correct people’s behavior, not to make money out of it.

I am a fan of the Saher system. Because of it, the rate of accidents resulting from speeding has gone down in Saudi Arabia. But lately some actions made it sidetrack from its main goal, which is behavior adjustment, to focus on financial gains. A few days ago, Dubai police launched a campaign on their website titled “No Incidents Day”. All cases of violations will be dropped if the driver spent a year without committing any new violation; 25 percent of the cases will be dropped if the driver went without any new violations for three months; 50 percent for six months, and 75 percent for nine months. These steps really aim to correct driver behavior.

One thing that needs to be fixed in the Saudi Saher system is that the center that considers people’s objections to violation tickets. It must be separated from the traffic departments administratively and financially as is the case in many other countries of the world. Because it is unacceptable that your are the opponent and the judge at the same time.

Finally, could it be possible for the traffic department, which is under the Ministry of Interior — a ministry that makes the best use of technology and is the one responsible for the Absher miracle — to accept complaints that are not written on paper and presented in person to one of its branches? Think a little about it.

I am a fan of the Saher system. Because of it, the rate of accidents resulting from speeding has gone down in Saudi Arabia. But lately some actions made it sidetrack from its main goal, which is behavior adjustment, to focus on financial gains.