The Saudi Cabinet passed some amendments to the Traffic Laws on 8th August. The amendments were introduced to harden the punishments given to those who violate the traffic rules. Al-Medina Arabic Daily shares that KSA’s General Department of Traffic is reviewing the new penalties and they will be implemented in two weeks.
The details of new penalties on traffic violations are as follows:
A fine of SR1,000-SR2,000 will be charged to a person who pulls over a railway track, drives more people in the vehicle than allowed on the registration card (istimara), doesn’t show his driving license or istimara to the authorities when required, drives without a number plate on the vehicle, confiscates someone else’s driving license or istimara or gives it away for credit. The same penalty goes for motor cyclists who fail to wear a helmet while driving.
The authorities will charge a fine of SR3,000-SR6,000 and seize the vehicle of a person who drives away from a red light, uses unlawful number plates, installs vehicle accessories allowed to official vehicles or emergency vehicles, surpasses a school bus, damages traffic signs, reflectors and poles, doesn’t pull over for security checks, puts on offensive logos on the vehicle.
A person who drives under influence will be fined with SR5,000-SR10,000. The police is also authorized to seize the vehicle.
Hit and run drivers will be charged with SR10,000 fine or they will spend 3 months behind bars or both.
Stunt drivers will have to pay a fine of SR20,000 if it’s their first time. For second time violators, the fine will be SR40,000. Moreover, the vehicle will be taken into custody for 15 days. On violating the law for the third time, a fine of SR60,000 will be charged. The violator might have to spend some time in jail too.