Wrong parking habits of many citizens is partly to blame for the traffic congestion in Makkah’s streets, officials say.

Makkah residents are greatly inconvenienced by cars parked incorrectly on the city’s streets. Many citizens say that the problem is due to the large number of cars and the absence of awareness on the part of drivers.

The situation is worsened by limited parking spaces in front of government and private sector establishments or homes and schools. People also park in places that are allocated for the disabled. Despite fines and punishments, drivers continue to disregard the rules which call for strict legal enforcement and punishment.

Incorrect parking causes traffic congestion and accidents as well as obstructing the paths of ambulances or Civil Defense vehicles in case of emergencies. Citizens have urged the Makkah Traffic Directorate to exert greater efforts to curb incorrect parking by using modern technology and use global examples in this respect. They called for doubling fines to more than SR150 so that drivers stop their illegal parking.

Ibrahim Ismaeel was surprised at the inconsideration of some drivers who park their cars illegally, especially those who park next to government facilities, or commercial establishments.

Ahmad Mattar said incorrect parking is uncivilized and demands the cooperation of all relevant authorities. He said there should be strict enforcement of all rules. He felt that incorrect parking was due in part to the lack of spaces while some people simply do not follow the rules and regulations.

Jasim Ali said in that because of traffic congestion in Makkah, especially during the holy season, it has become normal to park incorrectly.

Nasir Al-Dahmani said the problem should be dealt with and eliminated as it results from ignorance of traffic laws and lack of regard for such consequences as traffic accidents or obstructing people’s interests.

Col. Talat Al-Mansouri of the Makkah Traffic Directorate said there are special teams that monitor and follow up incorrect parking around the clock and they are spread throughout the city. “These teams use an electronic system to track violators and register violations,” he said. “The system has proved its effectiveness through monitoring and registering violations. It registers more than 1,500 violations daily and the traffic department is working hard to end the problem and ensure a smooth traffic flow.”

He said there were methods, such as billboards on the streets, which aim to educate people about the dangers of incorrect parking.

He said financial penalties would be imposed for incorrect parking and fines would be doubled in places with warning signs. He said these punishments would deter violating drivers and educate people on the importance of abiding by traffic laws.

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