The initiative aims directly at the improvement of the traffic situation for better gains and services for the general population. It further aims to reduce loss of productivity; fatality rates associated with traffic violations in society and improve government public services in the community. Hence, the following benefits were in mind when this initiative was introduced by MOI:
A. Immediate, dramatic, and continuing improvement in road safety. With Phase I (Traffic Enforcement) Mobile Speed, Fixed Speed and Red Light photo enforcement subsystems were deployed and the percent of violating vehicles to total number vehicles observed on the roads had dropped precipitously from 32% at start of speed enforcement to approximately 2.5% today, a figure that could not be ignored or overlooked. This reduction in traffic violations is complemented by a 15.8% reduction in traffic accidents and 31.4% reduction in traffic fatalities during the same time period. Again, these figures are extremely encouraging and fulfilling. These hard enforcement statistics are supplemented by written testimonials from medical trauma centers praising the ATVAM program as evidenced by significant reduction in auto-related medical cases.
B. Introduction of equity for all members of the driving public. In a culture steeped in traditional norms, the ATVAM program traffic enforcement represents a paradigm shift. Specifically, the elaborate set of socially accepted transaction behaviors—based on rank, influence, heritage, gender and “connections”—that traditionally served as a “social lubricant” and were not now in line with a modern Nation’s strong commitment to equality, government-accessibility, improved quality of public service delivery and transparency. Under the uncompromising direction of Program's Director traffic violations are captured, processed, citations are issued and penalties are collected under rigidly enforced guidelines. All drivers from every walk of life are treated equally under the program, including, but not limited to traffic officers themselves, VIPs, etc. This reflects a high sense of transparency and fairness in the application of the new traffic laws system. MOI knew this was an essential element for public acceptance in order to establish a fair treatment and purely applied public service that suits and benefits all members of the society.
C. Introduction of Transparency. Violation Capture and Citation Issuance have been designed and implemented to provide irrefutable and tamper-proof photographic evidence of a driver’s violation and to eliminate discretionary enforcement by Traffic Police. A process has been implemented to accommodate drivers wishing to challenge their violations. At their request, drivers may see photo evidence of their violations.
• Public Awareness and Education of the public with regard to the necessity of the Program and the success of the Program in achieving the objectives of public safety and quality of life. Program must be clearly defined and supported with data and examples that the driving public can understand and relate to their daily lives. This communication with the public must be an ongoing dialogue for the life of the Program.
• Technology that is used with great success in other parts of the world can not necessarily be “transplanted” in Saudi Arabia. It may need to be modified or optimized to be effective in the harsh climate and unique driving culture inherent in the Kingdom.
• Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) contracts must be critically scrutinized and every clause amply clarified to the common understanding of all parties. This must be complemented by a very clearly understood mechanism for implementing changes in scope that may be requested by a contract signatory.