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I think the debate belongs solely with the Saudi's and as an expat I am happy to simply monitor the debate and the situation.  However, another issue presents itself for me around this whole should Saudi women be allowed to drive in the Kingdom.  As it is the driving in Riyadh is amongst the top 10 worst in the world.  What would happen with numbers increasing on the roads to that extent, from a logistical perspective how would the traffic flow be managed, will there be an increase in accidents for the simple reason of increased drivers?  What about the problems this may present and whether there is a plan to manage this?

Just to state my position on the Saudi driving issue - as a western woman who has driven since the legal driving age of 18 in the UK and always owned my own cars - I love to have the choice to drive, to decide if I wish to go out, where to go and when to go, how to get there, what route to take and what car to chose to drive.  I love the freedom of that choice but more practically to be able to have access to a vehicle in the event of an emergency to take my child or a family member to the hospital - it is a life-saver and a huge relief when having to be faced with such decisions.

I can't agree with the first paragraph as I think that women drivers would negate the need for males to drive them everywhere. Thus there would not be an increase on the roads.

I agree totally with the second paragraph and think that Saudi Women should have that choice too. I too am a western woman who has held a driving license since the age of 18 and one of the big frustrations of living in Saudi is having to rely on someone else to take me everywhere. I always feel as though I am on the clock and can never do my own thing.

The reason I note concern on the logistics and expected increased traffic this will create is the following:

At the moment there is one male driver transporting a number of women (and children) in one car.  When women get the right to drive, there will then be more than one woman per household who can drive.  Whilst this will negate the need for the male driver, there will potentially be a number of women to replace the one driver, per household.  It will not be that a Saudi household will negotiate the 'nominated' woman driver in the house!  No way, they will simply each have a car as the daughters will have different schedules and needs to the mothers, and any other woman in the household.

However, this is a discussion and debate forum so all opinions are respected as contributory so this post is not to change your opinion, just to orientate my previous point as the number of drivers/cars on the road will undoubtedly increase.  Saudi women make up 50% of the population.  There is a cap on men coming into Saudi to be employed as drivers - work it out for yourself.

Obviously an english law about not being able to drive until 18, everywhere else in the UK it's 17

Personally think allowing women to drive may improve things as they will want the car!

I also have been driving since 17 and now have 7 different licences from various postings, Im quite happy not to drive as the roads are so dangerous, and quite frankly theres no where to go anyway!the biggest frustration is having a driver but no bars to go to!!!! damn it!

Of course there will be chaos initially, but in KSA everything happens at a snails pace and too many  issues have to be worked out before they pass authorization for women to drive and actually issue a license.  But frankly, I support the move and this is no doubt, just the first of many changes.  Its an exciting time to be in the country!   

Point taken about the age of a license holder but it was so expensive to get one in the first place in England I didn't make it 'til I was 18:P

Oh and the split in Saudi between men and women is more like 60%/40% and not all drivers are foreign.

Whatever the arguments I wish all the women who wish to drive here good luck, they will certainly need it.

The authorities will also need to fine tune the traffic police force to cater to the female drivers in relation to possible accidents, road mishaps, breakdowns, etc.

Its not about whether women should drive or not, Its about are the Saudi public ready to see women behind the wheel. The "shabab" need to just see a glimpse of black cloth in a car and they will be chasing it around.

I do not know, I come from a family where my mother, one of my grandmothers, and my sisters are all driving somewhere or the other and I completely feel that women should have the freedom to drive. But just not here, the public hasnt matured enough to see that yet perhaps.

MaserMan wrote:

Obviously an english law about not being able to drive until 18, everywhere else in the UK it's 17

Personally think allowing women to drive may improve things as they will want the car!

Oh dear, I seem to have woken up Pinky Hey MM2, thanks for the correction - it is not English Law it is old age on my part

I for one won't be driving on these roads with Saudi women on it - it is bad enough being bumped out of the way in the supermarkets let alone on the roads!!!    Good luck to them all I say and it is interesting to see they are not giving up on this matter irrespective of the consequences - VIVA WOMEN VIVA