Road safety event for female drivers launched in Saudi Arabia

The event aims to educate women about road rules and safety, and features cultural and educational exhibitions. (Shutterstock)
Updated 23 June 2018
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Road safety event for female drivers launched in Saudi Arabia

  • The event was held at Riyadh Park Mall in cooperation with the General Directorate of Traffic, the STC and other government entities
  • The director of Tabuk’s Traffic Department said it is preparing to issue 60 permits for new trainees who applied for licenses at the women’s driving school in the region

JEDDAH: A three-day recreational and educational event for women about driving cars was launched on Thursday by the director of the Riyadh Traffic Department, Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Al-Kharsan, and Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) CEO Nasser Sulaiman Al-Nasser.

The event was held at Riyadh Park Mall in cooperation with the General Directorate of Traffic, the STC and other government entities.

In his speech, Al-Nasser stressed the STC’s eagerness to support preparations to implement the royal decree allowing women to drive from Sunday. 

“This royal decree falls in line with the company’s initiatives and programs in the field of social responsibility,” he said. 

“The STC’s participation in the event focuses on the principle of safety first, and on raising awareness of traffic laws.”

The event aims to educate women about road rules and safety, and features cultural and educational exhibitions.

Tabuk to issue 60 more licenses for female drivers

The director of Tabuk’s Traffic Department said it is preparing to issue 60 permits for new trainees who applied for licenses at the women’s driving school in the region. 

The department has already issued 40 permits as part of preparations to implement the royal decree allowing women to drive, said Brig. Gen. Mohammad Al-Ateeq.

The process is divided into three categories: Women holding a valid license, those with expired ones, and women not holding any permit.

Women holding a valid license will undergo a test before being issued their new Saudi license, replacing their foreign one. 

Women with expired licenses will be trained for six hours, after which they will be tested. 

If they pass, a license will be issued immediately, but if they fail, they will be able to do four more hours of training. 

 


Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

Updated 12 sec ago
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Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

  • Jerry Inzerillo: In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution
  • Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions

JEDDAH: Under the theme “Vision to Reality,” Diriyah has moved beyond aspiration in 2025, translating long-held plans into a tangible, lived experience, according to Jerry Inzerillo, group chief executive officer of Diriyah Co.

Throughout the year, Diriyah Company, the Saudi Public Investment Fund entity developing the Diriyah giga-project, advanced from planning and preparation into delivery. Contracts and agreements exceeding SR24 billion ($6.4 billion) marked a pivotal transition from the establishment phase to early operations. 

Inzerillo told Arab News: “At Diriyah, progress is measured by what is delivered on the ground against the plans we set. In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution. 

“Together, these achievements reinforce Diriyah’s role as one of the Kingdom’s most important national transformation projects, with growing impact locally and internationally. We remain committed to advancing with responsibility and purpose, transforming ambition into reality and creating a destination that honors history while shaping the future.”

In 2025, Diriyah Co. signed eight major contracts, alongside 16 agreements, reinforcing delivery momentum across multiple development streams. International recognition also continued to grow, with Diriyah earning prestigious global awards and securing positions in influential international rankings, Inzerillo said.

Infrastructure development played a central role in shaping the visitor experience. New road networks were delivered to ensure smooth connectivity between historic districts and contemporary developments.

The company also inaugurated two high-capacity electricity transmission substations, securing the power required to support residents, visitors and a growing portfolio of residential, hospitality, educational and cultural assets. 

Collaboration with Majid Al-Futtaim Group introduced a portfolio of global brands, positioning Diriyah Square as a distinctive shopping and entertainment destination, Inzerillo said. At the same time, Diriyah’s partnerships with the Saudi Contractors Authority and the Saudi Tennis Federation embedded sports, events and professional initiatives into the fabric of urban life. 

Diriyah’s vision extended into the future of mobility and design, Inzerillo said. Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions, designed to make movement across the city faster, more efficient and integrated.

Diriyah Company, in collaboration with Pantone, unveiled “Diriyah Tan,” a custom color inspired by the city’s historic mud architecture. More than a visual signature, the color captures Diriyah’s identity, bridging its origins with its contemporary expression.

Diriyah’s excellence was also recognized at the highest international level, Inzerillo said. In 2025, TIME magazine named Diriyah Company among the World’s 100 Most Influential Companies, acknowledging the project’s cultural, economic and urban impact.