UAE Motorists Urged to Observe Traffic Rules in GCC Countries

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, June 29th 2013 [ME NewsWire]: The Ministry of Interior urged citizens traveling by car to the GCC countries, particularly to Saudi Arabia Arabic, to observe the instructions of the new traffic rules in force in the Kingdom, to enhance safety and to avoid legal accountability, and traffic accidents.

Brigadier Ghaith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director General of Traffic Coordination at The Ministry of Interior called on citizens to observe the legal speed limit on the Kingdom's roads while driving their vehicles.

“The competent authorities in Saudi Arabia will arrest violators who exceed the speed limit on the Kingdom's roads; the sentence will depend on motorists' speed,” noted Al Zaabi.

Furthermore, Al Zaabi explained that the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia allow up to 30 per cent window tinting for all cars, while preventing reflectors. The authorities prohibit tinting the front windshield, rear windshield and front side windows; and only rear side windows can be tinted.  Motorists must also have an insurance policy covering the states they are traveling to.

On the same note, Al Zaabi appealed to the citizens of the State to observe the speed limits on roads in Saudi Arabia, t preserve their lives and the life of other road users, adhere and comply with traffic rules in the GCC countries . He also warned them against making illegal modifications to their vehicles, or making significant changes to the engine, chassis, or the vehicles'' color; as well as writing indecent slogans on the vehicles.

The Director General of Traffic Coordination at the Ministry of Interior emphasized the importance of choosing the appropriate time to travel, preferably before late night hours; and check the validity of the vehicles' lights. Moreover, he called on motorists to be extremely cautious while driving and to pay attention to rogue camel herds to avoid accidents. Al Zaabi also urged motorists not to get distracted from the road; to put children in the back seats; check the validity of both the vehicle and the tires; make sure not to exceed the permissible load limit; and to have a first aid kit available in the vehicle. Furthermore, Al Zaabi warned motorists against reckless driving, and against going out in processions to avoid traffic accidents and the ensuing fines varying from SAR100 to SAR900, as well as impounding of the vehicle.

Concluding, Al Zaabi called on citizens traveling to GCC countries by land to take some rest before continuing to travel; pointing out that roads in most GCC countries cover long distances, which require motorists to be extremely cautious and to stop frequently at guest houses along the way when feeling tired, in order to preserve their lives and the lives of other road users.