Signing of a memorandum of understanding to enhance land transport safety in Saudi Arabia
In a strategic move aimed at raising safety standards on the road network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the General Authority for Roads and the National Center for Transport Safety a joint memorandum of understanding today aimed at enhancing safety levels in the land transport sector, and unifying institutional efforts to regulate work in various safety fields, in a way that contributes to achieving the common national goals of both parties.
The two sides were represented at the signing ceremony by His Excellency the CEO of the General Authority for Roads, Engineer Badr bin Abdullah Al-Dalami, and His Excellency the CEO of the National Center for Transport Safety, Captain Tay bin Abdulrahman Al-Shammari. This agreement reflects the commitment of both parties to developing the transport system and raising its operational efficiency.
National context and the objectives of Vision 2030
This memorandum aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which prioritizes the safety of lives and property and the preservation of infrastructure. Through these partnerships, the Kingdom aims to reduce traffic accidents and related fatalities to meet global standards, thereby enhancing quality of life and establishing the Kingdom as a global logistics hub with a safe and sustainable infrastructure.
Mechanisms for cooperation and incident investigation
The memorandum's provisions focus specifically on coordinating activities related to serious accident investigations, in-depth technical analysis, and specialized safety research. These measures aim to enable both parties to fulfill their duties and responsibilities effectively and to promote the efficient exchange of information and technical resources.
The agreed-upon areas of cooperation included the following points:
- Activating direct and effective communication channels to ensure rapid coordination and smooth information exchange during times of crisis.
- Sharing technical expertise and resources needed to support joint investigations into incidents.
- Providing mutual access to engineering facilities and technical expertise to conduct the required analyses, such as material quality testing and mechanical or engineering fault analysis of roads.
Raising awareness and developing human competencies
Recognizing the importance of human resources in the safety system, both parties agreed to collaborate on launching specialized training initiatives to enhance the technical expertise and investigative skills of their respective personnel. This will include organizing joint courses and workshops covering the latest global best practices in road safety, as well as regular consultations to discuss regulatory updates and safety priorities, ensuring complete alignment on road safety objectives.
Within the framework of social and professional responsibility, the memorandum seeks to raise awareness of road transport safety in the Kingdom, through organizing joint awareness campaigns targeting drivers, in addition to specialized workshops for contractors and road operators, which promotes excellence in the design of road infrastructure, meeting its standard specifications and ensuring the quality of its periodic maintenance.
