His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday called for a comprehensive strategy to tackle road accidents and stressed the need to involve all stakeholders in coming up with a solution to the problem.

In a letter to Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, the King called for a change in the culture and behavior related to traffic and use of roads, a matter, King Abdullah said, that necessitates a revision of all elements, starting from training and licensing within the context of a nationwide effort seeking to eliminate road accidents.

The tragedies resulting from road accidents have become something in common among many families, the King said.

“I have myself experienced the pain… I have lost friends and companions in arms during my service in the Armed Forces who were victims of road accidents…This experience has left me with a personal determination and sincere intent to spare my people and my family this pain…,” His Majesty told the premier.

The King added that efforts to curb road accidents must be sincere and systematic.

Awareness, His Majesty said, is key to solving the problem since human error has been behind the majority of accidents.

The solution also requires changes to the laws governing traffic and related matters.

Several public and private institutions can contribute to the effort, the King said, calling on the media in particular to embark on awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the issue.

But the bulk of the responsibility, King Abdullah added, is shouldered by the Public Security Department (PSD), which should contribute the major part of a feasible strategy to address the problem at a national level.

The King urged traffic police to enforce the law with no leniency, but directed the PSD to work out a mechanism that ensures fairness in issuing tickets, to include the harnessing of up-to-date technology in monitoring traffic violations.