With regard to the article “Expatriate learner drivers ‘endanger lives of motorists'” (Dec. 31), driving in the Kingdom is dangerous, whether or not you are an experienced driver. But what is more disturbing and is now, unfortunately, becoming a “trend” is seeing underage Saudi boys behind the wheel who are barely able to reach the pedals while their moms and sisters are sitting comfortably as passengers. The authorities should look into this. Joey, Online response The problem is not just learner drivers but the mentality of drivers in general in Saudi Arabia. A bigger issue is the fact that Saudis seem to have no problem about allowing children and underage teenagers on the road to drive their parents' cars when they have yet to develop the skills required to control the large 4x4s they are in. If drivers in the Kingdom were not so impatient and followed the rules of the road and did not push in at every opportunity, traffic would flow much better all round. John Thomas, Online response The conditions on the roads in Saudi Arabia are horrendous. It doesn't matter if you are an expat or a Saudi. For example, just drive down the Jubail highway; it's like a free-for-all destruction derby. Or go to any of the driving schools and you will find unorganized and appalling conditions. A national initiative of training and awareness needs to be aggressively pursued to end the horror on the roads. And I am not even going to start on the contractors who supposedly pave the nation's roads. Asim Bukhari, Online response
