Roads General Authority (RGA) said that Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in road safety in recent years, thanks to a series of initiatives implemented in partnership with the Ministerial Committee of Traffic Safety, which resulted in a significant drop in the number of road fatalities. On the occasion of the first Road Safety and Sustainability Conference, held in the Kingdom in partnership with the International Road Federation under the theme "Innovate for Tomorrow", RGA said that the 'dynamic progress witnessed in the road sector over recent years' has been accomplished through major projects, adopting new maintenance approaches, boosting safety measures, increasing inspections, and expanding the use of advanced technologies in road surfacing, including the use of drones and road marking thickness gauge. The authority has the world's largest fleet of modern, AI-equipped machinery, totaling 18 advanced pieces of equipment, alongside smart applications that have enhanced automation and field team co ordination, as well as asset management software and other cutting-edge tools that contribute to improved safety and maintenance. Among the authority's effective initiatives has been the transition to performance-based maintenance contracts, with around 60 contracts signed so far, significantly enhancing road safety and improving the performance of the road network. According to RGA, these efforts have raised the quality index of the Kingdom's road network to 5.7, bringing it closer to achieving the strategic objectives of the roads sector, of which safety is a core pillar. The Kingdom comes fourth among G20 countries, reflecting its commitment to the highest standards of road safety and enhancing its international status in traffic safety, ultimately providing safer, more sustainable roads and protecting the lives of road users in the Kingdom. The authority reaffirmed its commitment to expanding road projects, maintenance, and the application of the latest technologies and equipment to fulfill its strateg y for the roads sector, which prioritizes safety, quality, and traffic density. RGA aims to increase the roads quality index to the sixth place globally, and reduce fatalities to less than five per 100,000 residents by 2030. Source: Saudi Press Agency