The Saher cameras will not be concealed any more, an official of the directorate general of traffic said. Saher cameras are an automated system for the management of traffic and it covers major cities in the Kingdom.

The official, who did not want to be identified, said the system will be operated differently from how it is being worked currently where the vehicles and cameras are hidden under bridges or among trees at different locations to spot traffic violators.

“The cameras will now be placed very clearly and will be visible to motorists. Our objective is not to hunt for violating drivers in order to punish them with fines but we are rather concerned in reducing the traffic accidents resulting from speeding and other violations,” he said.

The Interior Ministry has taken over the operation of the system from Sunday. A consortium of three private companies earlier operated the Saher cameras.

The official said there would be fixed radars at visible places fixed on the roadsides and cameras erected on posts along the roads.

“The motorists should look for the Saher cameras while driving. They should expect to see a Saher camera or a radar anywhere on the road,” he said.

He said the traffic police will fix numerous cameras along roads in various regions and will also erect warning signboards that a Saher camera is ahead.

“Our primary objective in effecting this change is to intensify the commitment of drivers to limit speed, and not annoy motorists by concealing the Saher watching eyes,” he said.

The official further said the traffic police would intensify the “watching eyes” as much as possible. “Our primary objective, however, remains to spread the culture of safe driving which will ensure the safety of all road users,” he added.

The official asked the media to focus on the new role of Saher and to inculcate the principle of safe driving among the society members.

“We cannot change the mindsets of people overnight but we need to enlighten the drivers about the best methods of driving. We do not want any tug of war between them and us,” he said.

The transfer of Saher management to the Interior Ministry will be completed in two months time. The ministry will absorb 4,000 employees of the previous companies operating Saher.