The General Authority for Roads announced the preliminary results of the first day of its sixth annual “Safe and Excellent Roads” campaign, launched by His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. Statistics revealed 5,214 observations on the road network across the Kingdom, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance safety and maintenance standards and improve the experience of road users.
Campaign background and strategic objectives
The “Safe and Distinguished Roads” campaign is an integral part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. This vision aims to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents, requiring advanced infrastructure and a world-class, efficient road network. The General Authority for Roads was established within this framework to regulate and oversee the roads sector in the Kingdom, developing policies and regulations that ensure enhanced safety and quality. The campaign serves as a crucial implementation tool for achieving these objectives, conducting a comprehensive survey of roads outside urban areas to identify and address all maintenance and traffic safety concerns.
The importance of the campaign and its expected impact
This initiative is of paramount importance both locally and internationally. Locally, improving road efficiency contributes to reducing accident and fatality rates, enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents, and facilitating movement between cities and regions. Regionally and internationally, a safe and reliable road network boosts trade and logistics, and supports the tourism sector, especially with the increasing number of visitors, pilgrims, and Umrah performers coming to the Kingdom. Investing in road safety is a direct investment in the national economy and enhances the Kingdom's competitiveness on the global stage.
Details of the results for the first day
On its first day, the field survey covered 28% of the total targeted road network, with broad participation exceeding 620 members distributed across 61 teams. These teams included representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, university students, members of the Special Forces for Road Security, and representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The observations recorded were distributed across the Kingdom's regions, with the Riyadh region registering the highest number at 1,154, followed by the Qassim region with 930, then the Makkah region with 610, Madinah with 534, and the Eastern Province with 362. Observations were also recorded in the Jazan, Tabuk, Asir, Al-Jawf, Hail, Najran, Al-Baha, and Northern Borders regions.
Call for community participation
The Public Roads Authority reiterated its call to all citizens and residents to actively participate in the campaign by reporting any observations or visual distortions on the roads through the unified call center 938 or the “Turuq” app. The Authority affirmed its ongoing commitment to addressing all reports and observations to ensure the necessary support is provided to road users and to overcome any obstacles they may encounter, thus guaranteeing a safe and comfortable journey for everyone.
