A delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior, headed by Brigadier Abdul Karim Abdullah Al Mjeidali, Head of the Human Rights section at the Riyadh Region Police, visited the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols General Directorate. The visit aims to review ADP’s experience in the management of youth groups to curb reckless driving, and leverage this experience to reduce the negative traffic-related phenomena among young people in the Saudi Arabia Kingdom.
During his meeting with the visiting delegation, Brigadier Eng. Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police, underscored the importance of exchanging visits to leverage the implemented experiences in dealing with negative traffic-related phenomena. The meeting was attended by a number of officers from the Directorate.
Al Harthi briefed the Saudi delegation on the methods used by Abu Dhabi Police to curb reckless driving and street racing, by implementing traffic laws and regulations on young offenders. These measure include impounding young individuals’ vehicles and referring them to the competent judicial authorities, as well as tightening control on young people’s gatherings, by the Traffic Investigation section, and identifying places where such practices take place.
Moreover, Al Harthi emphasized the keenness to intensify awareness programs through universities and schools. The programs include the Abu Dhabi Police initiative to reduce traffic accidents, tilted "Together" on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to communicate with young people and encourage them to improve their traffic behavior, in addition to the best young driver initiative.
He explained that as a preventive measure, the Traffic and Patrols Directorate signed a memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi Motor Sports Management to set up a “motor racing circuit for youth” within the Yas Marina Circuit, where racing fans can practice their favorite hobby. According to Brigadier Al Harthi, this step would provide a safe and proper environment for young people to practice this sport, and comply with traffic safety requirements.
Furthermore, Al Harthi noted that awareness campaigns will be carried out to educate young people scientifically on traffic safety rules for racing, as well as acquainting them with the car parts and special regulations for car modifications, as per the approved criteria. The campaigns will also provide logistical support, such as racing cars, ambulances and civil defense teams; medical personnel; equipment, clothing and special services for participants. At the end of the visit, commemorative shields were exchanged.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior’s delegation included Colonel Abdullah Suleiman Al Sunaidi, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Riyadh Region Police; Colonel Turki Mushabab Al Shahri, Director of Rules and Regulations at the Criminal Security Division; Lt. Colonel Tareq Hamoud Al Rubaian, Director of Search and Investigation section at the Riyadh Region Police Traffic Department; and Chancellor Fahid Mushnaq Al Dossari, Advisor at the Ministry of Interior.
