New timings for trucks in Riyadh

Mish’al Al-Otaibi
Saudi Gazette 
 

RIYADH — The Riyadh Traffic Department has announced a new schedule for entry of trucks into the city during the summer vacation. Trucks will now be allowed between 11 P.M. and 1 P.M.

Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh region, had ordered a new mechanism to regulate entry of trucks into the city during summer. He also ordered the traffic authorities to come up with a permanent solution to the congestion problem in the city.

The traffic police and highway patrol will enforce the new timings. Trucks will be prevented from entering the city during peak hours. However, the ban does not apply to service trucks, such as gasoline tankers and water and sewage trucks, as well as trucks carrying milk and diary products. Trucks carrying livestock will be allowed in under the supervision of the traffic police.

Brig. Gen. Abdul Aziz Abu Humaid, head of the Riyadh Traffic Department, said the timings were modified only for the summer. He said the decision was aimed at extending the best of services to citizens and to keep up with requirements of the numerous construction projects under way in the city.Brig. Gen. Abu Humaid said the decision to ban the trucks during the peak hours helped in easing the traffic flow in the city. He commended the role of highway patrol in enforcing the decision.