Launch of a campaign promoting safe and distinctive roads to reduce road fatalities in Saudi Arabia

His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Roads, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, launched today the sixth edition of the "Distinguished and Safe Roads" campaign, in the presence of a number of officials and representatives of relevant authorities. This initiative comes as a continuation of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure and raise safety standards on its road network, which is among the largest in the world.

A qualitative leap in road safety strategy

This edition of the campaign is of exceptional importance, as Al-Jasser explained that the initiative, which began as a simple idea, has now transformed into a massive national project. He announced a strategic shift in the campaign's operational mechanism, which will see significant expansion to encompass all regions of the Kingdom intensively, under the patronage of the regional governors. The primary objective is to transform the campaign from a temporary, five-day activity into a sustainable, year-round initiative, ensuring continuous monitoring and immediate action on observations.

These efforts align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which prioritize human safety and quality of life. These integrated efforts have yielded tangible results, with the Kingdom recording a record decrease in road fatalities of nearly 60%, reflecting the success of the plans implemented to reduce traffic accidents.

Smart technologies and comprehensive network scanning

In the context of leveraging technology to serve the sector, the Minister of Transport revealed the introduction of a package of advanced technologies being used for the first time in the campaign's history. These technologies include:

• Paint reflectivity measurement: via mobile vehicles that ensure accurate results and link them to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) without disrupting traffic.
• Warning vibration technology: Using highly economical and longer-lasting ground coatings to alert drivers.
• Digital photogrammetry: To accurately monitor non-pavement elements, barriers and directional signs.

The current version of the campaign aims to conduct a comprehensive survey and assessment of the entire road network outside urban areas, which exceeds 73,000 kilometers in length, to ensure its readiness and safety for road users.

International standing and community partnership

These impactful initiatives have contributed to enhancing the Kingdom's international standing, achieving fourth place among G20 countries in the road quality index. The Kingdom aspires to reach sixth place globally in this index and reduce the road fatality rate to less than 5 deaths per 100,000 people.

The campaign is witnessing broad participation, with over 620 members distributed across 62 field teams. These teams represent the transportation sector, the Special Forces for Road Security, and the Ministries of Communications, Energy, and Industry, in addition to university students. The Public Authority for Roads called on all citizens and residents to actively participate by reporting observations through the 938 call center or via electronic applications, emphasizing that maintaining the road network is a shared national responsibility.