Saudi woman arrested for street racing in Mecca

Hardly a week after the Saudi cabinet passed a law to combat street racing in the kingdom, Mecca police arrested a 30-year-old woman for reckless driving.

After making sure her husband was fast asleep, the woman reportedly stole the keys to his Toyota and snuck out of the house to race through the streets of Mecca at breakneck speed. Around 3 a.m., police received a report of the speeding car, and arrested the woman.

According to the Saudi edition of Al-Hayat newspaper, the police called the husband, who was astounded by the case.

According to the man, his wife suffered from psychological disorders. He decided not to press charges and signed a pledge to keep her under control. He then took his wife and the car and went home.

Speeding and racing have become increasingly popular sports among rich Saudi youngsters who are looking for an outlet in the conservative society. The kingdom has one the world's highest accident rates.

The new law penalizes first-time offenders by confiscating the car for 15 days and imposing a fine of 1,000 riyals (267 US dollars).

Three-time offenders will have their cars permanently confiscated and could be fined the entire price of the car, if it is found to be rented or stolen. Courts also have the power to jail violators.


(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid).