Launch of the Safe Roads Guide for Ramadan: Tips for your road safety
The General Authority for Roads in Saudi Arabia announced the launch of a new awareness initiative entitled “Safe Roads Guide,” coinciding with the start of the holy month of Ramadan. This step comes as part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to improve safety on the national road network and enhance awareness among drivers during this blessed month, which witnesses significant changes in traffic patterns.
The importance of timing: Leadership challenges during Ramadan
The launch of this guide is particularly important during Ramadan, when the Kingdom's roads experience heavy traffic at specific times, especially during the peak hours before Iftar (the breaking of the fast), as well as in the evenings when family visits and trips to markets and mosques are frequent. The guide aims to address the negative behaviors that may result from rushing or fatigue while fasting, thus directly contributing to reducing traffic accidents and saving lives and property.
The guide's contents and strategic objectives
The authority explained in its statement that the “Safe Roads Guide” is not limited to traditional advice, but also includes a comprehensive explanation of the meanings of road signs and warnings, thus enhancing traffic awareness among users. The guide provides practical instructions for dealing with various road conditions, aimed at all road users, whether within cities or on the highways connecting the Kingdom's far-flung regions.
Supporting pilgrims and the goals of Vision 2030
The importance of this initiative is amplified by the peak Umrah season during Ramadan, when the Saudi road network receives massive numbers of pilgrims and visitors heading to Mecca and Medina. Providing safe and seamless transportation for these pilgrims is a top priority within the Authority's strategy, ensuring their easy and safe arrival at the holy sites.
It is worth noting that the General Authority for Roads, as the supervisory and regulatory body for the roads sector in the Kingdom, is working according to an ambitious strategic plan that aligns with Saudi Vision 2030. Through these initiatives, the Authority seeks to achieve the goals of the roads sector, which are based on safety, quality, and traffic density. It aims to bring the Kingdom to the sixth highest global ranking in road quality, in addition to reducing the rate of deaths resulting from accidents to less than 5 cases per 100,000 people by 2030, reflecting a firm commitment to enhancing the quality of life.
