Car accidents killed over 9,000 people in Saudi Arabia last year

Thousands of people are dying in Saudi Arabia each year due to car accidents, and it's a problem. 

And there were more accidents last year than the previous year, with an increase of nearly 3 percent. 

More than 78,000 people were killed between 2006 and 2016 due to traffic accidents in the kingdom, but Riyadh-based King Abdullah International Medical Research Center said things are actually improving. 

"The introduction of Saher system has reduced the severity of traffic accident injuries by 20 percent and the mortality rate by 37.8 percent,” Sulaiman Al-Ghannam, principal investigator of a new study released this week, said, according to Arab News. 

The Saher system, an automated system for the management of traffic via e-systems using cameras in major cities, was introduced in 2010. 

Last year, the kingdom also majorly increased fines for reckless drivers. First time offenders now face minimum fines of 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,332), compared to 1,000 to 2,000 Saudi riyals previously.  

And penalties shoot up even more dramatically for repeat offenders. 

The fine doubles to 40,000 Saudi riyals for second-time offenders and the car will be impounded for 30 days. Third-time offenders will be slapped with a 60,000 Saudi riyal fine and their vehicles face potential permanent confiscation.

Here's to hoping deterrence will save lives.