«هيئة الطرق»: غرامة مالية لا تزيد عن مليون ريال لكل مخالفة لنظام كود الطرق السعودي

The General Authority for Roads has revealed the draft of the Saudi Road Code, indicating that the code applies to all road works, including planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining roads. It also applies to existing roads when they are reconstructed, maintained, repurposed, expanded, or rehabilitated.

It prohibits the application of any requirements, controls, or standards other than those stated in the code after the system comes into effect.

Furthermore, without prejudice to the competencies of the relevant authorities in carrying out their tasks and responsibilities according to their regulations, the authority is responsible for monitoring compliance and adherence to the application of the code.

The draft confirmed that compliance with the application of the code is a fundamental requirement for obtaining licenses and permits.

When contracting for planning, design, supervision, construction, operation, and maintenance works, it is required to engage specialists who hold licenses in accordance with the applicable regulations in the Kingdom, as specified by the regulations.

The relevant authorities and the licensed entities must adhere to the application of the code in executing road works.

It was noted that the supervisor and contractor are jointly responsible for compensating the relevant authorities for any damage that occurs within a specified period due to total or partial collapse of the constructed road, and for any defect that threatens the road's integrity and safety, as well as the safety of its users. The regulations will specify the necessary provisions for this.

Additionally, anyone who violates the code must remove or correct the violation in accordance with the code within the periods specified by the regulations, and the violator must be notified of this within fifteen days from the date of becoming aware of it. If the violator does not remove or correct the violation within the specified period, the relevant authority will refer the violation to the committee stipulated in Article Sixteen of the system, in accordance with what the regulations specify.

When the violation is serious, the relevant authorities must notify the violator within five days from the date of becoming aware of it, and halt work on the road or the part or section that poses a risk until the violator removes or corrects the violation in accordance with the code. The violation will be referred to the committee stipulated in Article Sixteen of the system within a timeframe specified by the regulations.

The draft added, taking into account what is stated in Articles Twelve and Thirteen of the system, and without prejudice to any harsher penalties stipulated by another law, anyone who violates the code or any of the provisions of the system or its regulations will be punished with any of the following penalties, and it is not permissible to combine more than two penalties from the following:

1- Warning.

2- A financial fine not exceeding one million riyals for each violation.

3- Suspension of the license or part of it for a period not exceeding one year.

4- Revocation of the license.

In applying the aforementioned penalties, consideration will be given to the circumstances that may mitigate or aggravate the penalty, the severity of the violation, the nature of the activity, and market conditions as specified in the regulations. The council will issue a regulation concerning violations of the code.

Qualified specialists from the authority or relevant entities will be responsible for monitoring and documenting violations of the code, with their appointment being issued by a decision from their respective authorities, ensuring that the violation is documented in a report containing the information as specified by the regulations.