More than 1,200 car drifters and spectators have been arrested over the past three months, local media said, quoting data released by the General Department of Traffic.

“Riyadh’s traffic police formed a task force in cooperation with security patrols to monitor the drifting phenomenon,” Brig. Gen. Ali Al-Dibaikhi, director-general of the Riyadh Traffic Police Department, told a local daily.

He said car drifting cases have dropped by 44 percent compared with previous months.

“Even officers and corps affiliated with the department were found to be involved in drifting stunts,” he said. “They face double the penalty prescribed for the crime or even termination.”

According to traffic statistics, 436 car drifters and 863 spectators were arrested during a three-month period, while 1,278 cars were seized. Seven of the cars were stolen.