Statistics show that the Arab population owns 1% of the world's vehicles and its human losses as a result of road traffic accidents (RTA) account for 4.8% of the world's losses. The socioeconomic implications of these RTA figures are a cause for concern in Saudi Arabia where it is estimated that of all the deaths that occur in the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health hospitals, 81% are due to road traffic accidents.
Saudi Traffic 2004, which is organized by IIR Middle East, includes a conference and exhibition designed to provide traffic professionals with the latest advances and strategies in international road safety management, has been conceived with these staggering statistics in mind. It will take place from 5-8 December 2004 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Riyadh.
“Population growth coupled with an increase in pilgrimage numbers to the holy cities has highlighted the need for expansion to the existing traffic infrastructure in the Kingdom. Saudi Traffic 2004 has been designed to address these issues whilst giving traffic professionals an opportunity to network with local and international experts in the field who will demonstrate the latest in cutting-edge traffic technology and update them on recent initiatives, projects and developments in the region,” said Davyd Farrell, IIR Middle East.
“Leading speakers including Ali Abdelfattah, ITS director, Michael Baker Corp. and Dr. Paul Vorster, chief executive, South African Society for Intelligent Transport Systems (SASITS), will share their expertise and insight on a number of key topics including recent road safety initiatives from South Africa, Australia and the United States and how to ensure optimal road conditions by implementing an efficient road repair and maintenance system,” he added. (menareport.com)
