Jeddah Mayor Adel Fakieh, Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, Brig. Abdul Aziz Al-Obailan and Col. Mohammed Al-Qahtani pose for a picture after signing the agreement. (AN photo)

JEDDAH, 5 July 2005 — Last year according to statistics, there were more than 74,649 traffic accidents. In analyzing where most accidents occurred, the worst area was the southern section of Al-Andalus Street. There were 600 accidents, resulting in 14 deaths, 136 injuries and 455 cases of property damage.

In an effort to reduce traffic accidents in Jeddah by 50 percent, which is one of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Services Programs, Mohammed Jameel signed a contract to improve traffic safety on Al-Andalus Street. The signing occurred in the presence of Adel Fakieh, mayor of Jeddah, Brig. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Obailan, general director of the Traffic Department, and his deputy Col. Mohammed Al-Qahtani. The area covered by the contract includes the section of the street from the intersection with Coast Guard Street to Al-Khair Bridge.

The team working on the program to improve traffic safety on Al-Andalus Street will cooperate with Dar Al-Handasa Company (Engineering House) as consultants and they have begun by conducting measures and analysis to determine the appropriate car speed.

Suggestions to improve safety include making changes and closing some of the openings and re-routing traffic, adding warning and regulation signs such as road paint, side blocks and cement partitions between the two lanes. The project for the traffic signs has been assigned to Advanced Contracting and Maintenance Company and Electro Company.

ALJ Community Services Programs will finance the whole project as part of its program to reduce traffic accidents by 50 percent and as part of its program with the Red Crescent Society (RCS). The RCS program aims to develop the skills of the society’s paramedics and its transportation system in addition to building a new RCS center and providing it with emergency airlift services.

Jameel signed a contract with French Eurocopter Company to purchase two helicopters for the emergency airlift service of RCS.

The helicopters are expected to begin service in December in Jeddah. Jameel also signed with Redstar Company for the helicopters’ operation and maintenance for three years.

The traffic safety program will continue to cooperate with the Jeddah Municipality, Traffic Department and Engineering House to improve traffic safety on other streets. The program will also conduct an awareness campaign through the year and invite other car-importing companies to contribute to the campaign.