They said imposing the fine was illegal and that there was no royal decree issued authorizing such penalties, Al-Watan daily reported.

The citizens also claimed that the washing of cars parked on roadsides or pavements is not included among traffic violations.

Many local residents said that they were surprised to see that they had been ticketed without committing any traffic violations.

When they contacted the traffic department to find out more details, they were informed that the fines had been issued by field teams from the municipality.

Khaled Al-Zahrani, a Makkah resident, said that he was fined SR150 and it was because his car was being washed by a foreign worker while parked on the road.

He has now moved to lodge a complaint against the municipality and the traffic department for imposing a fine for an act that apparently did not break any traffic violations.

Talal Al-Amoudi, another citizen, said they were not notified in any way about such penalties.

“The security agencies can carry out raids to arrest foreigners who are engaged in illegal activities. But what does it have to do with us?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Maj. Fawzi Al-Ansari, spokesman of the traffic department in Makkah, said the washing of cars on public roads is a negative trend.

“We are issuing fines as it violates traffic rules and affects the rights of others to use the road. A committee, comprising representatives from concerned departments and agencies, has been constituted to put an end to this phenomenon,” he said.

“Members of the committee have been entrusted with the task of recording number plates of vehicles washed on public roads or squares and sending the details to the traffic department.”

Dr. Muhamamd Al-Fawtawi, director general for environmental health at the municipality, said that inspectors usually notify the traffic patrol police about such violations, leading to action being taken against those responsible.

Muhammad bin Nahar, a legal consultant, confirmed that car washing on public roads is a traffic violation.