Drifting — known locally as tafhit (تفحيط) — is one of the most severely penalised traffic offences in Saudi Arabia. Despite its historical cultural presence in the Kingdom, the Saudi government has made it subject to the harshest fines in the entire traffic violations schedule.
Drifting Fines — Escalating Penalties
- •First offence: SR 20,000 fine + 24 demerit points + vehicle impoundment
- •Second offence: SR 40,000 fine + 24 demerit points + vehicle impoundment
- •Third offence: SR 60,000 fine + 24 demerit points + vehicle impoundment + possible imprisonment
24 demerit points is the maximum threshold — reaching it in a single violation means immediate licence suspension or revocation. Drifting once can cost more than many people earn in a year.
Other Offences Carrying Maximum 24 Demerit Points
- •Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: 24 points + SR 10,000
- •Driving against traffic (wrong way) on a highway: 12 points + SR 3,000
- •Failure to comply with traffic police: 8 points + SR 500
- •Not stopping at a stop sign: 6 points + SR 3,000
- •Overtaking a stopped school bus: 4 points + SR 3,000
Why Saudi Arabia Takes Drifting So Seriously
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest per-capita road fatality rates in the world. Drifting on public roads has been directly linked to fatal accidents, particularly involving young drivers. The escalating fine structure was designed to be financially devastating enough to eliminate the behaviour entirely.
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