Saudi to act tough on 'drifters'

Saudi government has declared drifting, a driving technique that involves tilting a high-performance car on two wheels at very high speeds in a meandering motion, as a criminal offence, said a report. The government decision comes in the wake of the increasing numbers of traffic-related accidents in the Kingdom. Under the new laws, the first-time drifters' vehicle will be confiscated for a month and a fine of SR10,000 ($2666) will be slapped on them. They will also be referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution and then to the court, reported the Arab News. Repeat offenders will lose their vehicles for three months and will be fined SR20,000. They will face incarceration for six to 12 months. Third-time offenders will see their vehicles impounded for anywhere between one and five years and will be liable to pay a fine of SR40,000, the report added. Under the new law, those found to be in the passenger seats or individuals who may have offered aid to drifting as well as the spectators will be considered accomplices and liable to a fine of SR1,500 or confiscation of their vehicles for 15 days or more. Source: TradeArabia