October 2016 Update on the Traffic Laws of Saudi Arabia

New penalties for traffic violations will come into force within the month of October 2016.

The General Department of Traffic is said to be finalizing the new penalties in line with the decision of the Council of Ministers as reported in a news article in Saudi Gazette last October 3.

During the 3rd Quarter this year, the Cabinet made major amendments to the articles of the Traffic Law to give tougher penalties for traffic violations.

The details of the penalties for various violations are:

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR1,000 - SR2,000 fine: 

1. Stopping on railway track
2. Carrying passengers exceeding the permitted number in the vehicle registration card (istimara)
3. Refusing to show driving license or istimara (when asked by authorities)
4. Not displaying number plate of vehicle
5. Failure to wear helmet by motor cyclists 
6. Seizing driving license or istimara of another person
7. Giving istimara of another person on mortgage.

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR3,000 - SR6,000 fine and vehicle seizure: 

1. Jumping red signal
2. Using illegal number plates or number plate of other vehicles
3. Fitting accessories that are permitted only for official vehicles or emergency vehicles
4. Overtaking school buses while they pick up or drop off children
5. Tampering roadsigns, reflectors and poles
6. Refusing to stop at checkpoints or when security patrols ask for it, and 
7. Displaying logos or stickers that are against pubic etiquette.

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR5,000 - SR10,000 fine and vehicle seizure: 

1. Obliterating or attempt to obliterate special features of a vehicle
2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
3. Carrying out any activities on the road without prior coordination (with the concerned authorities).

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR10,000 fine and/or 3-month jail: 

1. Failure of a motorist involved in an accident to stop at the scene and failure to take the initiative to inform the competent department and provide possible assistance to those injured in the accident.

Reference: Saudi Gazette - New Traffic Laws in 15 days

Stunt Driving, From Popular Pastime to a Major Health & Safety Hazard

Saudi youths demonstrate their driving stunts/skills, also known as sidewall skiing (driving on two wheels)
Photo Credit: Reuters via Arab News

The long stretch of desert roads and the strong car culture of Saudi Arabia makes stunt driving or "sidewall skiing" (driving on two wheels) a popular hobby of Saudi young people. Drifting or "Haglawah" involves incredibly skilled drivers doing a balancing act of the moving car on one side. It is usually done by driving one pair of wheels up on the road while the other passengers get out on the other side of the car.  There are times when the thrilled passengers change the suspended tires while the car is on drifting process.

Because of the safety risks, the Cabinet has been taking stringent measures against stunt-driving. During their meeting sometime in August this year, the Cabinet made major amendments to the articles of the Traffic Law to give tougher penalties for traffic violations. 

Among those reported amended in Article 69 of the Traffic Law was to make stunt driving a traffic violation. Violators will face the seizure of vehicle for 15 days and a fine of SR20,000 for first violation, the seizure of vehicle for 30 days and a fine of SR40,000 for second violation.

In both cases, the violator will be referred to the court to examine carrying out jail term.

For third violation, the vehicle will be seized and a fine of SR60,000 will be slapped, and the violator will be referred to the court.

The seizure or confiscation of vehicle will not be applicable to rented or stolen vehicles.

Below is a Table of Penalties for Haglawah.

The Hidden Valley (Wadi)

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.” ~ French novelist Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

To an eye that is not used to where I live, the desert is a barren, lonely landscape. But then there are  places and oasis nearby that one can go to for a weekend escapade, if you know how to find them.

It was almost 2 months since I wanted to visit this place. The place was first visited by a group of Filipino colleagues, who got the information from a group of Filipino engineers and electricians who are assigned to install the electrical lines along the area. The photos they posted in Facebook made me green with envy. But everyone was busy and no one can accompany me to the place. Yesterday, Friday the 13th was not a good day especially with the Paris carnage that left over a hundred people dead. But many hours before the Paris tragedy happened, it was a lucky day for me. Yesterday was not just any other ordinary Friday the 13th. It was odder than one would think – 11/13/15. That could have been the reason why so many superstitious people didn’t want to move around believing that it was an unlucky day. Anthony Gilbert who could have totally forgotten about the date and the omen that is associated with Friday the 13th,  agreed to accompany us and serve as our guide to this once elusive place.

No one could tell me the exact name of this place so I named it as the Hidden Valley (Wadi) of Bani Yazed. It may not really belong to to the Bny Yazed jurisdiction but since it is the nearest place showed on Google Map, I named it after this village for reference. Bani Yazed could still be another 10 to 15 kilometers (not really very sure) from where we turned left from the highway. It was difficult because the internet mobile signal is so weak that all you can get along the 4040 Highway is a G (1G GPRS) or an an E (2.5G Edge). The signal at the "Hidden Valley" is dead.

The absence of the internet signal made me one with nature and was able to appreciate the beauty of the oasis. 

The streams and the solid rock pool at the Hidden Valley (Wadi) is surrounded by lush greenery. It’s indeed refreshing and relaxing to spend even just a few hours with nature on a weekend.

Until someone can tell me the name of the place, I will continue to call it the Hidden Valley of Bani Yazed. Whether or not I get to know the real name of the place, It will be a place where I can run to and find refreshing and relaxation on a weekend.

How to get there?

Traveling along Highway 5 (Jeddah-Jizan Highway), turn left at the Raidan Petrol Station and take Highway 4040. It was at Al Baik Al Laith (somewhere near the Corner of Highway 5 and Highway 4040 that I remembered to set our trip mileage at 0. So I suggest that you set your car mileage reader to 0 km while getting your meal pack from Al Baik Al Laith.

Follow Highway 4040 all the way to Ghomegah. Upon reaching the second rotunda (round about) in Ghomegah, take the first exit to the right and drive all the way. By the time you should have traveled around 46 kms, you should be within the vicinity of the Moya Har (Ghomegah Hot Spring). Continue to travel through Highway 4040 which will bring you to the rocky mountain ranges. You will see a long bridge once your mileage is at around 72 kms. Don’t take the road towards the bridge. Instead, take the road on the left. When you reach 79 kms, turn left by taking a dirt road to the left. Follow the road all the way. At km 78, you will see a big rock that will welcome you to the “Hidden Valley”. Follow the green vegetation at both sides of the rocky mountain and you will be at the Hidden Pool by the time your mileage reading will hit 80 km.

Enjoy the dip at the pool!

The Big Rock that welcomes you to the "Hidden Valley"

Another view of the Big Rock that welcomes you to the "Hidden Valley"

The Al-Swailem Heritage Palace

The Al-Swailem Heritage Palace
Photo Credit | Bani-Rasheed.Biz Page

The Al-Swailem Heritage Palace
Photo Credit | Saudi Tour

Tuesday, 20 October 2015 - Al Bukairiyah, Qassim

The Al-Swailem Heritage Palace was the first stop over we made in our tour of Al Qassim. It was like driving-thru a Mac Donalds outlet where you will just roll down your window and place your order. I was ashamed to alight from the car so the photos I took of the place were all on board a car from afar. :-)   To give justice to the cultural importance of the place, I needed the assistance of Dr. Google for photos and images online I can show clearly the beauty of the palace. There were not much photos to select from and these two are the best ones that I got.

The Al-Swailem Heritage Palace is considered as one of the most important cultural heritage in Al Bukairiyah. It represents the nobility and the bright collection of history of the past. It also shows the attention and care given to keep and preserve the place and to maintain its beauty and attractiveness.

This large archaeological Palace and its other annexes was built by the Emir (Prince) of Bukairiyah, Abdullah bin Othman Al-Swailem immediately after the emergence of the early community. It was believed to have been built in 1824. The Palace has an important role in shaping the history of Riyadh, to become the seat of power. It has received many prominent guests including kings and princes, among them the notable Imam Faisal Ibn Turki, the King Abdul Aziz, and Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz. Today, it continues to receive guests as before.

It was renovated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali Al-Swailem in 1994.

Below are the photos I took using my smartphone.