RIYADH: More details have been revealed in the new Kingdomwide traffic rules that went into effect on Monday, rules that include a point-based system and codified punishments for the crime of joy riding.
Under the new system, each traffic violation is assigned a point value. If a driver accumulates more than 96 points worth of violations within a lunar (Hijri) year, he would lose his license for at least two years and be required to enroll and pass driving school before petitioning for license reinstatement.
Furthermore, drivers who reach a certain number of points will receive temporary suspensions. For example, when a driver incurs 24 points his license will be suspended for three months.
To answer the growing problem of young Saudi men engaging in dangerous stunt-driving maneuvers — as well as the arbitrary nature by which this crime has been punished due to the lack of any codified punishment — joy riding will now automatically result in up to one year in prison and/or a minimum SR1,000 fine. This is in addition to any of the so-called “private rights” that victims can seek.
Private rights can include reimbursement for damages all the way up to blood money if any deaths were involved.
First-time offenders caught joy riding by police are subject to a minimum SR1,000 fine. The vehicle will be impounded for 15 days at additional cost.
Second-time offenders will face a minimum SR1,500 fine and/or possible jail time as well as car impounding.
Third-time offenders will be fined SR2,000 and their chances of going to jail will be increased. The authorities will also seize vehicles of three-time offenders. Additional punishments will be administered to joy riders using stolen or rented cars.
(It is common for young Saudis to rent vehicles for their joy-riding adventures instead of ruining the transmission, suspension systems and tires of their own cars.)
The new laws also make it a crime not to immediately seek out authorities if there are injuries involved; not doing so will result in an automatic SR2,000 fine and/or up to three months in jail.
