From Tuesday, May 12, drivers will be able to use the left emergency lanes of some roads at certain times, Interior Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Maj Gen Abdullah Al-Muhanna said. “This is only related to the left emergency lane, while driving on the right shoulder is definitely forbidden. Also, drivers will only be able to use the left lane between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm at a speed of 45 km/h.” he said.

The rule only applies to certain sections of specific roads. These include the sections of King Abdulaziz Road (no. 30) between the Sixth Ring Road and the Third Ring Road, King Fahd Road (no. 40) between the Sixth Ring Road and the First Ring Road, King Faisal Road (no. 50) between the Sixth Ring Road and the First Ring Road and Ghazali Road (no. 60) between the Sixth Ring Road and the Fourth Ring Road in both directions; the Fifth Ring Road between King Abdulaziz Road and Andalus traffic lights in both directions and the Sixth Ring Road between King Abdulaziz Road and East Ardiya (Farwaniya Hospital junction) in both directions, Muhanna said. “All road will be monitored with speed cameras, whose numbers will increase and improved to monitor violating drivers who use the emergency lane out of the prescribed times or at speeds higher than 45 km/h or when the main road is not congested.

The yellow lights should be blinking to signify it’s allowed to use the emergency lane, but in some roads they are not available,” Muhanna said. The Ministry of Interior is cooperating with the Ministry of Public Works to have the emergency lanes ready by Tuesday. “Even if the ministry is not able to fill the deep ruts on the lane before Tuesday, they will at least lay asphalt on it, so the gravel won’t fly on cars,” stressed Muhanna.