A year after the General Department of Traffic flagged mobile phone use while driving as a top contributor to traffic accidents in Makkah, new updates in 2025 indicate that the issue remains prevalent. Despite awareness campaigns, distracted driving continues to contribute to collisions in high-density areas, such as Makkah City, Jeddah, and Taif.
Authorities note that while enforcement and technology-based monitoring have slightly reduced violations compared to 2024, the practice still poses a serious threat. The dangers of sudden lane changes and tailgating remain significant, particularly on congested highways where reaction times are short.
Stricter Measures and Awareness Efforts in 2025
In 2025, Saudi traffic authorities are intensifying efforts to reduce accident rates in the Makkah region through the use of technology, penalties, and education.
- Smart cameras: Expanded across major roads to detect drivers using mobile phones, tailgating, or changing lanes dangerously. Automated detection ensures quicker enforcement.
- Harsher penalties: Higher fines for repeat violations, with license suspension or vehicle impoundment in severe cases. These stricter rules aim to deter reckless habits.
- Awareness campaigns, targeting programs in schools, universities, and workplaces, along with media outreach, emphasize the importance of attentive and responsible driving.
Together, these steps highlight a balanced approach: enforce the law while also educating drivers. Authorities believe this dual strategy will gradually shift driving culture and significantly improve road safety in the years ahead.
Conclusion
The reality in 2025 is apparent: mobile phone use while driving, sudden swerving, and tailgating remain among the most serious threats to road safety in the Makkah region. However, Saudi Arabia’s approach is evolving. With smarter enforcement through advanced cameras, stricter penalties for repeat offenders, and extensive public awareness campaigns, the Kingdom is laying the groundwork for safer roads.
If drivers embrace these changes and commit to safe practices, Makkah could see a notable reduction in accident rates in the coming years — turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s progress.
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