Drifters terrorize Madinah neighborhoods

Drifters are continuing to run amok in several Madinah neighborhoods, endangering their own and other people’s lives, say residents and citizens.
Most of these drivers are teenagers who perform stunts after school hours on roads in local neighborhoods included Prince Turki, Tebah and Aziziah. Many youngsters were also responsible for several accidents close to schools, they claim. Many Tebah residents have filed complaints with the Madinah Traffic Department, stating that the youngsters are on the roads late at night and create so much noise that it is hard to sleep.
Mussaid Al-Juhani, a resident of Al-Aziziah, said: “Unfortunately, the streets of the neighborhood have been turned into drifting arenas for adolescents and youngsters. They paint red lines on the roads they use, preventing others from using them, especially late at night.”
He said that despite their complaints, and action taken by the authorities to patrol the streets, this has not stopped.
“When they discover that there are patrols in one area, they simply move to another.” He said there should be heavy penalties for such behavior.
Moalla Al-Jabri, another resident, said the problem was particularly acute during examinations. He called on the traffic department to do more to tackle the problem.
Al-Jabri said there should be more severe financial sanctions in addition to confiscation of vehicles, which would act as a “strong deterrent against such negative behavior.” He said there have been many accidents near a school in Al-Nasser neighborhood.
“We call on the traffic department to have programs and lectures for students, to educate them on the dangers of drifting, and of the sanctions for offenders.”
Omar bin Hammad Al-Nazawi, director of safety at the Madinah Traffic Department, said officers recently arrested several drifters in Prince Turki and other neighborhoods in the city. They have been referred to the prosecuting authority.
He said the penalties for drifting include confiscation of the vehicle for 15 days and a fine of SR1,000 for the first offense. “If the offense is repeated, the vehicle will be seized for a whole month with a fine of SR1,500 and a prison sentence.
For the third offense, the drifter pays a fine of SR2,000, with the vehicle confiscated. If the vehicle is rented the offender would have to pay the entire value of the vehicle, he said.
Al-Nazawi urged drivers to stop drifting because this was dangerous for them and others. He said the traffic department has deployed several undercover officers to various areas, especially during examination periods.
He said the police are determined to track down offenders. Parents must also play their part by checking up on the whereabouts of their children, he added.