The Technical Examination Department cordoned off Khaitan at dawn upon instructions of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Lieutenant-General Anwar Al-Barjas, and under the supervision and presence of the Assistant Undersecretary for Operations and Traffic Sector Major General Jamal Al-Sayegh, and Director of the technical examination Department Brigadier-General Mishaal Al-Suwaiji, instructions of Lieutenant-General Al-Barjas.
The motorists were caught unaware as they hit the road and Brigadier General Al-Suwaiji said the goal of the traffic awareness campaigns is to protect the lives and property of residents and citizens, reports a local Arabic daily.
All cars were subjected to scrutiny and technical examination and the campaign resulted in the issuance of about 1,220 violations, most of which were for motorists driving with an expired driver’s license, or expired vehicle registration and others whose vehicles were found to be not road worthy.
The daily said the technical inspectors subjected the vehicles to scrutiny and lack of security and durability conditions such as worn out tires and other mechanical aspects which pose a danger and causes loss of lives and property.
The Director of the Technical Inspection Department, Brigadier General Mishaal Al-Suwaiji, said “the campaigns by the General Traffic Department, which are implemented by the Technical Inspection Department, are continuing throughout the country, to educate motorists about the need to abide by traffic laws and regulations, the danger of driving dilapidated vehicles that lack security and safety conditions, especially during the summer season, in which vehicle malfunctions abound, pointing out that motorists have to carry out periodic maintenance, in terms of tires, vehicle paint and smoke emission, because of their impact on the environment and annoying noises.”
Al-Suwaiji stated that “a number of trucks and diesel tanks were seized on the main streets due to the emission of thick smoke and leakage, in addition to endangering the lives of others.”
He indicated “during the traffic campaigns, we monitor violators, especially reckless drivers, those emitting annoying sounds by making alterations to their exhausts, shading windows 100 percent, in addition driving licenses and car registration books to ensure they are valid.
During the campaign, we issued 1220 direct violations, and placed an administrative reservation block on a number of vehicles, and it will not be lifted until after all the vehicles are presented to the specialized technical committee in the technical examination, and they are checked again by the examiners and engineers before lifting the block.
He stressed that the aim of the campaigns is to raise awareness among motorists and that our presence is to protect them and educate them to abide by traffic laws.
Al-Suwaiji concluded by saying, “We have noticed a response, cooperation and awareness, among many citizens and residents, to repair their vehicles and not drive dilapidated vehicles, and this gives us comfort and reassurance that the message and traffic awareness has reached a large segment of society.”