In a major clampdown on underage drivers, the Traffic Department has introduced harsher punishments for people found behind the wheel without driving licenses.

Parents will also be penalized for allowing their young children to drive, endangering lives of other road users.

Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Qahas, director of the Traffic Department in Taif, said the punishments would be applied to underage drivers involved in accidents and traffic violations. Penalties include fines for such drivers.

Al-Qahas urged everybody to follow traffic safety regulations and prevent underage individuals from driving their vehicles. “Statistics have revealed an increase in the number of accidents caused by young drivers,” he pointed out.

He said undercover patrol police would be deployed to monitor such drivers and violations and inform the nearest traffic policemen to issue them tickets.

Saudis and expats have welcomed the decision and said the crackdown would reduce the number of fatal accidents. “Parents allowing their young children to drive should be given a deterrent punishment as they jeopardize others’ lives,” said an expat.

Al-Qahas also revealed that 36 road projects in a number of Taif neighborhoods and main streets have been postponed until the end of summer to facilitate the movement of tourists and visitors.