Raising the maximum penalty for 20 traffic violations and referring repeat offenders to the courts
The proposed amendments confirmed that repeating the same violation for the second time within one year automatically leads to raising the fine to its maximum limit.
She added that in case Committing the violation For the third time during the same year, the competent department shall refer the violator to the competent court within thirty days.
The explanatory memorandum clarified that the referral file to the court includes details of the violations in terms of their type, date, location, and evidence of recurrence, in addition to Driver data And his means of communication.
She pointed out that the relevant authorities will notify the violator, through appropriate means, of the decision to refer the matter to the court, in preparation for his appearance before it if necessary.
Major violations
Speeding violations topped the list of serious offenses, including exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 kilometers per hour on roads with a limit of 120 kilometers per hour or less, and exceeding it by more than 30 kilometers per hour on roads with a limit of 140 kilometers per hour. The list also included driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications that medically prohibit driving while under their influence.
The amendments classified running red lights, driving against the flow of traffic, and weaving between vehicles at high speed on public roads as among the most serious violations that threaten public safety.
The regulations strongly warned against failing to stop at security checkpoints and inspection points, or ignoring signs and instructions from security patrols requiring them to stop.
The proposed system also criminalized overtaking school buses while they were stopped for loading or unloading passengers, and prohibited drivers from using any handheld device while the vehicle was in motion.
The deterrent penalties extended to include overtaking in prohibited areas such as curves and hills, engaging in illegal street racing, or participating in convoys without official authorization.
Regulatory aspect and infrastructure protection
On the regulatory and commercial front, penalties included driving a vehicle without a license, driving with a suspended license, or using a license inappropriate for the vehicle's size and the type of business it is used for.
The regulations also targeted haphazard practices such as transporting passengers in undesignated areas within the vehicle and exceeding the legally permitted dimensions for loads carried by heavy transport vehicles.
The amendments addressed infrastructure and public safety by prohibiting trucks and heavy equipment from entering or exiting cities during restricted hours and criminalizing roadwork without prior coordination with the relevant authorities. The document warned against leaving any objects on public roads that could endanger the lives and safety of pedestrians.
The amendments also obligated animal owners to keep their livestock away from designated road boundaries and prohibited herding animals from crossing outside of designated areas or without prior coordination with the relevant authorities.
Reducing traffic violation rates
This proposal is based on Article 22 of the Cabinet System, which grants each minister the right to propose regulations or bylaws related to the work of their ministry. Members may also propose anything they deem to be in the public interest, subject to the approval of the Prime Minister.
The explanatory memorandum clarifies that this strategic step aims directly to reduce traffic violation rates, thereby decreasing the number of deaths and injuries resulting from accidents and improving the traffic environment to raise the Kingdom's global ranking in this regard.
It emphasizes that the rationale behind approving the amendment rests on protecting property, ensuring smooth traffic flow, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents. The positive economic and financial impacts of this amendment include preserving human capital, considered the state's primary resource, and reducing the financial burden of treating the injured and maintaining damaged roads.
The memorandum concludes by stressing that deterring reckless drivers will improve road user behavior and promote compliance with regulations, thus contributing to attracting businesses and investors and stimulating tourism in a safe environment.
