Saudi Arabia says all preparations finalized for women to drive on June 24

Saudi Arabia's General Saeed bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani, assistant minister of interior for operations affairs, has said everything is ready for women to begin driving from June 24, adding that all women who can drive will be eligible to drive.

“All women who can drive will be eligible to drive and will be well-informed of all the violations so they will avoid them. I expect women’s driving to be safer and that detentions will be made in very rare cases,” Qahtani said on Sunday during the special forum for the command of Special Forces for road security.

“Those who will drive cars are our daughters, wives and sisters, and it’s our duty to remind them of rules and prevent any harm against them,” he said, adding that the decision to allow women to drive serves the country.

“Road security checkpoints will respectfully deal with women who will begin driving on June 24 while implementing the law and making sure there are no violations,” Qahtani added.

Commenting on women’s work in general security, Qahtani said women already work there and in other security sectors, adding that what is new about that is the increasing number of women personnel.