Article 49 of the Saudi Traffic Law

This article opens the door to community participation in reducing road accidents, as it gives the Minister of Interior the power to permit the establishment of non-governmental civil associations whose purpose is:

• Raising citizens' awareness.
• Reducing road accidents.

The wording "the Minister of Interior may permit" means that these associations are established with the Minister's permission. Describing them as "civil, non-governmental" means they are associations set up by members of the community and are not part of government bodies.

The article does not detail the duties or powers of these associations, nor the conditions for establishing them. Instead, it leaves the setting of their duties and powers to the Implementing Regulations, which are the reference for what an association does and the limits of its work.

Among the related articles, Article 48 allows the competent department to cancel a driving license or not renew it if its holder is proven to lack legal capacity or medical fitness to drive the vehicles they are licensed to drive. Article 50 sets a general principle that the road is for everyone and the rights of its other users must be respected, which is the idea that awareness efforts serve.

Anyone wishing to establish an association of this kind needs to refer to the Implementing Regulations and the competent authorities to learn the requirements.