In a move aimed at enhancing safety levels on intercity roads, the General Authority for Roads issued an important and urgent appeal to camel owners wishing to transport their livestock across roads lacking protective barriers or designated camel crossings. The Authority emphasized the necessity of contacting the unified call center (938) in advance to coordinate crossings, ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to protect lives and property.
Coordination and safe passage mechanism
The authority explained that it has put in place a comprehensive precautionary plan to regulate camel crossings on single-lane, unfenced roads. The new mechanism requires owners to coordinate with the call center to determine a suitable time for crossing, stipulating that it must occur only during daylight hours to ensure clear visibility, and that the camels must cross in a single group, not separately. The authority also emphasized the necessity of having its road monitor present at the site, who is responsible for securing the crossing and placing warning cones to alert drivers before the crossing begins.
Background context: The challenges of loose camels and road accidents
These measures come as part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to curb the phenomenon of stray camel accidents, which have long been a source of concern for highway users, especially at night. Collisions with camels are among the most dangerous traffic accidents due to the animals' large size and height, often resulting in significant vehicle damage and fatalities. Therefore, through these regulations, the relevant authorities aim to balance the preservation of livestock, which is part of the Kingdom's cultural and economic heritage, with ensuring the safety and security of road users.
Infrastructure and safety standards
As part of its review of the infrastructure, the General Authority for Roads revealed that the current network includes more than 50 designated camel crossings, in addition to fencing over 3,056 kilometers of roads. These engineering measures aim to prevent animals from unexpectedly entering the road right-of-way. In this context, the Authority strongly warned against tampering with or cutting the existing fencing, emphasizing that such actions will subject the perpetrator to strict legal penalties, given the direct threat they pose to lives.
Vision 2030 targets for the roads sector
These initiatives fall under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, as the General Authority for Roads works to achieve ambitious targets aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. These plans aim to position the Kingdom sixth globally in the road quality index and reduce traffic fatalities to less than 5 per 100,000 people. The Authority relies on implementing the highest international safety standards (IRAP) and enhancing the operational and maintenance efficiency of the road network, which is one of the largest in the world.
The authority concluded its statement by calling on everyone to feel a shared responsibility, and urged road users and camel owners to cooperate and report any observations or potential risks via the number (938), to ensure safe roads for all.
