Reckless driving, road accidents and fatalities have become a huge social problem in the Kingdom. Despite various government and non-government measures and campaigns, the problem continues to haunt most people living in the Kingdom.
According to a World Health Organization report published in Arab News in October last, Saudi Arabia ranks second among Arab countries and 23rd globally in terms of deaths due to road accidents. We are talking about a country with a population that barley touches the 30-million mark in comparison to countries that have several tens of million more.
Reckless driving has become the norm on our roads. “You guys drive like crazy” is the first thing we hear from any visitor to the Kingdom. We have somehow developed an indifferent attitude toward traffic laws. With a heavy heart, I must admit that almost everyone in the Kingdom has been affected by reckless driving in one way or the other.
Therefore, any changes to the existing laws or extraordinary measures to check this horrible situation are definitely commendable. Saher — the speed-monitoring system — was celebrated despite loud cries that accompanied its launch, and now, the Cabinet’s recent decision to introduce stiff penalties on car drifting is a great move to check this menace.
To understand what drifting means to Saudis, think of it as the craziness of speed and car thefts turning into a hobby! Groups of young men gather in deserted areas to practice their deadly hobby to show off their so-called driving skills and to impress their peers. A deadly hobby that has cost us countless lives and wrecked properties.
Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, director of the Traffic Department told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that between October, 2015 and August, 2016, security forces apprehended 7,423 drifters. He said: “Any violator of traffic or transportation regulations will be referred to specialized court(s) ...”
The new ruling considers drifting a traffic violation according to the amended Article 69 on traffic law. For the first offense, the drifter’s vehicle will be impounded for 15 days, he will be fined SAR20,000 (about $5,333), and the case will be transferred to court, which may sentence the offender to jail. For the second-time offenders, vehicle will be impounded for a month, and the driver will be fined SAR40,000 (about $10,667) and be referred to the court to look into imposing a prison sentence. For the third-time offenders, they will be fined SAR60,000 (about $16,000) and referred to the court to look into permanently confiscating the vehicle, or fining the driver the same price as the rented or stolen vehicle and jailing him.
Commenting on the amendments, Maj. Gen. Al-Zahrani said that the traffic department would not show any leniency in implementing new regulations, especially Article 69 of the law pertaining to drifting/stunt driving. He urged all people to abide by the traffic laws and regulations for their own safety.
“The decision to amend traffic law guarantees the protection of the rights of vehicle owners, enhances traffic safety and safeguards the lives and properties from mischief makers,” he added.
Hopefully, this dramatic increase in fines and imprisonment would push drivers with reckless tendencies to think twice before putting themselves and others in danger.
Drifting is one of many aspects of crazy driving habits that we need to eliminate from our roads. Rules and regulations are part of the solution, but we need to be more creative. Awareness campaigns, schools participation, and developed procedures to acquire driving licenses could all be part of the process to make our roads safe.
According to a World Health Organization report published in Arab News in October last, Saudi Arabia ranks second among Arab countries and 23rd globally in terms of deaths due to road accidents. We are talking about a country with a population that barley touches the 30-million mark in comparison to countries that have several tens of million more.
Reckless driving has become the norm on our roads. “You guys drive like crazy” is the first thing we hear from any visitor to the Kingdom. We have somehow developed an indifferent attitude toward traffic laws. With a heavy heart, I must admit that almost everyone in the Kingdom has been affected by reckless driving in one way or the other.
Therefore, any changes to the existing laws or extraordinary measures to check this horrible situation are definitely commendable. Saher — the speed-monitoring system — was celebrated despite loud cries that accompanied its launch, and now, the Cabinet’s recent decision to introduce stiff penalties on car drifting is a great move to check this menace.
To understand what drifting means to Saudis, think of it as the craziness of speed and car thefts turning into a hobby! Groups of young men gather in deserted areas to practice their deadly hobby to show off their so-called driving skills and to impress their peers. A deadly hobby that has cost us countless lives and wrecked properties.
Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, director of the Traffic Department told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that between October, 2015 and August, 2016, security forces apprehended 7,423 drifters. He said: “Any violator of traffic or transportation regulations will be referred to specialized court(s) ...”
The new ruling considers drifting a traffic violation according to the amended Article 69 on traffic law. For the first offense, the drifter’s vehicle will be impounded for 15 days, he will be fined SAR20,000 (about $5,333), and the case will be transferred to court, which may sentence the offender to jail. For the second-time offenders, vehicle will be impounded for a month, and the driver will be fined SAR40,000 (about $10,667) and be referred to the court to look into imposing a prison sentence. For the third-time offenders, they will be fined SAR60,000 (about $16,000) and referred to the court to look into permanently confiscating the vehicle, or fining the driver the same price as the rented or stolen vehicle and jailing him.
Commenting on the amendments, Maj. Gen. Al-Zahrani said that the traffic department would not show any leniency in implementing new regulations, especially Article 69 of the law pertaining to drifting/stunt driving. He urged all people to abide by the traffic laws and regulations for their own safety.
“The decision to amend traffic law guarantees the protection of the rights of vehicle owners, enhances traffic safety and safeguards the lives and properties from mischief makers,” he added.
Hopefully, this dramatic increase in fines and imprisonment would push drivers with reckless tendencies to think twice before putting themselves and others in danger.
Drifting is one of many aspects of crazy driving habits that we need to eliminate from our roads. Rules and regulations are part of the solution, but we need to be more creative. Awareness campaigns, schools participation, and developed procedures to acquire driving licenses could all be part of the process to make our roads safe.
