Driving in Saudi Arabia

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I was told before leaving that there would be no need to drive in Saudi. All my transportation would be provided, and besides -getting a drivers license would take an act of Congress (or should I say an edict from the King).

And while I am looking for the best in the country I am visiting, in the area of automobile safety, Saudi has much work to do.

I had a two-day workshop in Jabail, 65 miles North of Dhahran. Leaving at 6:00 am in the morning, we would drive a three lane stretch of highway that had deep 6-12 inch shoulder drop offs.

I noticed cars whizzing by my cab on the shoulder and then swerve back into the lanes when clear. Many times cars would straddle lanes trying to get past a car.

I asked the driver if drivers were ever stopped for speeding. He told me that there are stiff jail penalties for speeding -anywhere from one to seven days. But there were not enough police to stop them, so it made little difference.

The next day, the same thing. About half-way to Jabail, we came upon a traffic jam.

I couldn’t see anything, and then suddenly, to my right I saw what I thought was a burned out ca with papers strewn for yards. I thought it was a road-side bomb.

As we slowly got closer, I saw three bodies lying motionless on the side of the road, and one more moving an arm slightly. Apparently the vehicle had flipped several times, throwing the passengers.

There was an officer standing over the seriously injured man, yet not providing aid. I asked the driver why the officer wasn’t helping, and his response was “They can do nothing until ambulance comes-nothing. It is the law”.

I was nauseous and unsettled for several hours after this.

That afternoon, on the same road going south, there was a four-car crash with injuries. Dozens of drivers were so impatient with the jam that they left the road, drove down into a ravine, and across the desert sands for about three- hundred yards to another road.

The following night I was driven to dinner in Dammamm with some friends. We saw cars in the right lanes of the road making left turns at intersections.

We sat for two hours at a corner window in the restaurant, looking down on a four way stop. In those two hours, we never saw a car come to a stop.

In fact, it seemed to be a competition as to who would get through the intersection first. Even pedestrians entered the gauntlet.

I would have bet the price of the meal there would be an accident. I would have lost the bet.

Had I not witnessed the horrific accident the day before, I would have thought it a little humorous. I saw nothing funny about it.

What is perplexing to me is the amount of safe driver education and promotion I have seen, particularly around using cell phones and even hands-free phones while driving.

There are large billboards discouraging the use of phones, as well as frequent and sometimes graphic television infomercials around auto safety.

It is the largest cause of death, including workplace deaths, in the nation.

I have decided to look into the bus system from now on. At least they are bigger than cars!

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Comments

[Mark Owen]

Incredible Journey!
Hi Bob, You are a long way from Alabama! I am throughly enjoying your reports. This one about driving I found especially relevant, since I drive for a living. Not sure I would enjoy my job over there. Thanks for the reports. You are in my prayers. Love, MarkO

[Ron Mattson]

What would Cayman do?
Wo! I did not mind driving in Germany, but any country following the English convention (RH drive, proceed on the left), or in Japan: No, Thank You!! I think you have the right idea going by bus, if you can!! OBTW: None of the photos would open--either by themselves or with prompting! Having fun now, eh, Bob?! Best to you, Ron

[Majed]

be safe
i really like your report. Am living in Dahran. Driving in KSA make me crazy. Enjoy your life in KSA

[Jameel]

good one
driving tips