Wednesday, September 24, 2008

CAMEL OR HIGHWAY?

Camel-related motor vehicle collisions have claimed so many lives here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Statistics show that these collisions occur either during the early morning hours, or late at night on remote highways. Since camels cannot follow traffic rules and regulations, it is up to the motorists to do their part and drive defensively to avoid being a victim of a camel-related collision.

What came first, the camel or the highway? The answer is obvious: The camel of course! Camels have been roaming throughout the Kingdom for thousands of years, without restrictions or borders. With the increased number of vehicles and highway connecting cities throughout Saudi Arabia, the free movement of these animals is not only a danger to themselves, but to the many people that travel the Kingdom's roads.

While these magnificent creatures may appear to be harmless, in reality they can kill you if you collide with them. To ensure safety, it is encouraged to drive defensively should you come across a camel on the road. Follow strictly posted speed limits to help keep you safe on specific roads. Slow down when you see a camel in your path, giving the camel as wide a clearance as possible. The best defense is to maintain control of your vehicle, travel at a safe speed--below the speed limit.

Reference: Saudi-Aramco Panorama 2006 Edition

7 comments:

Maxi said...

How interesting to learn about driving in Saudi Arabia.

May Your Glass Always Be Half Full

Bay Martin said...

Hi Maxi, many thanks for the visit and comment. That's the way it is here in the Kingdom. Even driving defensively, especially in the busy thoroughfares won't keep you 100% safe. It's kind of hard to explain.

Many of us live with the philosophy embodied by the phrase, "the glass is half empty/the glass is half full." And while it might not be the operating principle for every decision, we often react based on this idea: we are either leaning optimistic or leaning pessimistic. This way of viewing the world often either promotes a forward way of thinking, or promotes a regressive, fear-based way of thinking. We either believe that change is possible, or we believe that things are destined to remain the same.

Anonymous said...

O di ba, there were five pinoys na naaksidente sa bandang Jubail dahil sa camel.

Anonymous said...

How about our kabayans na naaksidente sa Riyadh naman dahil din sa camel, nabalitaan mo?

Bay Martin said...

Was it in Jubail?

Bay Martin said...

The road accident in Riyadh, which took the lives of our kabayans was not a camel-related incident I believe it was over speeding.

Anonymous said...

Very tragic ang accident. I heard na decapitated pa raw ang isa sa mga victims.