Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior has plans to introduce sterner penalties against motorists who endanger people's lives on the road, said the director of public security. Gen. Saeed Abdullah Al-Qahtani said the matter is being studied by the authorities. He said publishing reckless motorists' names in local newspapers is within the discretion of the judiciary. Al-Qahtani made the remarks after distributing cash awards and certificates of appreciation to three policemen in line with the directives of Minister of Interior Prince Muhammad Bin Naif. The policemen had arrested a joyrider whose actions had been recorded in a video that went viral on YouTube. He used to take expatriate workers' cars by force. The honoring ceremony, held at the of Public Security headquarters in Riyadh, was attended by Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Al-Muqbil, director general of traffic; and Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Abu Humaid, director of traffic in Riyadh province. At the beginning of the ceremony, Al-Qahtani expressed thanks to Prince Muhammad and all policemen who contributed to efforts to arrest the youth, who is to stand trial. He stressed that neither the Ministry of Interior nor its personnel accept such conduct. Al-Qahtani said the Traffic Department with support from other security agencies has clear directives to pursue joyriders and bring them to justice. He added that any motorist who does not follow traffic rules, especially those who change the appearance of their cars or tamper with plate numbers, would be pursued by the police. Al-Qahtani said security campaigns are going on throughout the Kingdom and they will continue until the roads are secure for motorists and pedestrians. Police will crack down on those who go abroad with their vehicles and change their appearance, he said, adding that the police have directives to enforce traffic laws strictly. Al-Muqbil said 90 percent of the arrested joyriders were wanted in connection with criminal offenses. He said the campaign was implemented in line with the directives of the minister of interior. Abu Humaid confirmed that traffic campaigns have intensified against joyriders with the cooperation of all security bodies. He said the Traffic Department is currently pursuing 25 joyriders, the majority of whom have criminal and traffic cases pending against them. Abu Humaid said the Traffic Department has information about 200 other joyriders who use certain aliases. They used to joyride but stopped practicing the dangerous hobby after their names appeared on the wanted list.
