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Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

I've been thinking about safety in KSA. I see many complaints about the living and working conditions, but I don't see many complaints about safety issues. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the subject for me.

I mean, are there high incidents of violent crime? Are guns or gun violence an issue? What about other types of weapons used in assaults, are they an issue? What about home safety. Are there break-ins? I'm aware there are very strong deterrents,but how likely is it to have you home broken into? Hoe about driving, I see some pretty wild drifting videos coming out of that region, is that something one would have to worry about?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Crime rate is quite low. Obviously, no surprise there considering the penalties for criminal actions can range from imprisonment to public flogging to losing a body part (or one's life), or a combination of the three. The biggest safety threat, however, is the treacherous driving. I'd often worried if my Egyptian driver would get me to/from work in one piece.

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I'm female, so I can't vouch for what it's like to drive in the Kingdom.

Recently in the news...

Saudi statistics say car accidents happening every second
By Habib Toumi, Gulf News | March 2, 2014
Source: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-statistics-say-car-accidents-happening-every-second-1.1297765

Manama--A car accident happens every second and 17 people are being killed in crashes every day on average in Saudi Arabia, statistics indicate. According to the figures by the Saudi health ministry, 598,300 accidents occurred in 2012, an average of 1,614 a day and of 67 an hour. The figures, published by local news site Sabq on Sunday, mark an increase of eight per cent over 2011 and 22 per cent over 2009.

In 2009, Saudi Arabia recorded 484,800 accidents, an average of 1,328 a day and 55 every hour. The figures went up in 2010 to reach 498,200 accidents with an average of 1,365 a day and 57 an hour.

In 2011, there was a nine per cent increase with 544,200 accidents and averages of 1,491 a day and 62 an hour.

Around 25 per cent of the accident-related deaths happened in the region of Makkah in the western part of the vast kingdom. Makkah also tops the list in injuries with 27 per cent of the country’s sad tally. The capital Riyadh leads in the number of accidents with 28 per cent of the country’s traffic crashes.

Campaigns by the authorities to bring order to chaotic driving and boost a more positive traffic culture have often been resisted by unruly and speeding drivers.

A rigorous monitoring system with traffic cameras on highways to check speed and at the traffic lights in major cities to record red light jumping has succeeded in bringing down the number of accidents. The authorities now plan to expand Saher, the monitoring cameras system, to all regions of the kingdom by 2018.

Attempts by unruly drivers to beat the system by seeking religious edicts to ban it on the grounds that it was robbing them of their savings have all been rejected by religious scholars. Several religious figures insisted that cheating the system was not allowed and that all fines had to be paid. In their attempt to avoid the traffic monitoring lenses, some drivers used ruses to conceal their car licence plates, making their identification impossible. However, the traffic authorities have recently said that they were installing advanced technology cameras to recognise violators. The locating plate recognition (LPR) system sensors are reportedly able to detect the numbers of the licence plates even when drivers tamper with them or cover them with paint or stickers to hide them.

(End of article)

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

Rostom · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:48 am Post subject: Driving without an insurance!

Rostom · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:01 am Post subject:

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:12 am Post subject:

Yes, be VERY aware AT ALL TIMES when driving here.

Also realize that many of the other nationalities (beyond Saudis) are accustomed to "right lane = fast / left lane = slow."

I've driven regularly in three regions and my rankings are:

In and around Riyadh = worst
Eastern Province = not too bad
Jeddah/Taif = just a little less hazardous than Riyadh tho the taxis are more offensive than riyadh

You truly must watch all points when driving and never feel shy to use your lights and/or horn to let others know you exist.

I would NOT however recommend using your finger, angry gestures, yelling obscenities or otherwise. (I know one westerner who ended up with 3 bullet holes in his car for displaying his road rage openly)
Think about this...they drift, they cut people off, etc...but MANY of our local hosts don't think of it as "wrong" necessarily.
What I mean is; when they see a westerner shouting and insulting them - they might just not equate it to their poor driving maneuver 30 secs or 1 min ago. In some cases, they'll only see someone being aggressive towards them and then react.

When (calm) Saudis feel wronged by another driver's actions...they stare. Right in the other's eyes. The other displays a kind of sheepish shame and then satisfied, they get back to the carnival of the road ahead of them.

Saudi kids are the worst. They drift, hang out of their cars, surf outside the door, swerve, race, etc..etc.. without any regard for those around them.

You must blend your defensive and offensive driving skills when necessary.

With all of that said, you'll do fine after you get the hang of it.
Plenty of others have gotten away with decades of driving and still managed to leave in one piece.

Being an ex-paramedic I'd strongly recommend only driving with your seatbelt on (unlike most of the locals) AND having ample airbags in your car of choice.

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:19 am Post subject:

In regards to "other":

Some compounds have a reputation for thefts.

That is, a resident might look for opportunities and/or the staff. So, taking some precautions will always be in your best interests.

Also, some Saudis do have sticky fingers as well. So, don't leave out flashy electronics, etc.. when you're away from your desk.

Every major city does have its "rough side." So, find out where it is and don't go down there alone at night. sorted.

Loner desert hikes (which I do) are not for everyone and certainly could perpetuate an incident. Have a charged mobile with GPS and a concealed weapon.

Beyond that just use your basic traveler's common sense and realize that they can get their hands on guns a helluva lot easier than we can. Wink

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"A concealed weapon" ??????????????????

I have never heard of non-Saudis having access to firearms in KSA.

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:07 pm Post subject:

take er easy scot.

a "concealed weapon" does not 'have to' be a firearm.

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 2:34 pm Post subject:

Dear cnthaiksarok

" . . . they can get their hands on guns a helluva lot easier than we can."

" . . . . concealed weapon" does not 'have to' be a firearm."

True, but you may have heard the expression, "Never bring just a knife to a gunfight."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_Ds2ytz4o&feature=kp

Regards,
John

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 2:44 pm Post subject:

Yes dearest John - I certainly have.

But I also ascribe to the old maxim: "Be prepared." Smile

And in this case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Smile

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 2:46 pm Post subject:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printed_firearms