Article 60 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 60 من نظام المرور · الباب السادس: الحوادث
The article provides that a traffic accident gives rise to liability if it results from negligence, lack of caution, or failure to observe the laws.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعد الحادث المروري موجبا للمسئولية إذا نتج من الإهمال، أو قلة الاحتراز، أو عدم مراعاة الأنظمة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 60 explained in plain English
This article sets out when a person is held liable for a traffic accident. An accident is considered one that gives rise to liability if it results from one of three causes:
- Negligence.
- Lack of caution: that is, not taking the necessary care.
- Failure to observe the laws: that is, violating the laws, including the traffic rules.
The text ties liability to the accident "resulting" from one of these causes, meaning there must be a link between the fault and the occurrence of the accident. The article does not specify the type of liability, the amount of compensation, or how fault is divided among the parties.
The article is linked to Article 61, which requires the competent department to begin investigation procedures into the accident as soon as it occurs and to complete them as quickly as possible. If the accident results in death or serious bodily injury, the driver responsible must be detained for a period not exceeding 72 hours, which the competent court may extend, and in all cases he must be released as soon as he provides a financial or personal guarantee or the required insurance policy; where there is disagreement, the competent courts decide. Article 59 also divides accidents into minor and serious and leaves their details to the Implementing Regulations.
Because determining liability depends on the facts of each accident, anyone who has been in an accident would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in traffic accident and compensation cases.
Practical example
Sami was driving in a street in Riyadh while looking at his phone, and he did not notice the car in front of him had stopped and collided with it. This accident resulted from negligence and lack of caution, so it gives rise to Sami's liability under the article.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 60 of the Saudi Traffic Law
When is a driver liable for a traffic accident?
An accident gives rise to liability if it results from negligence, lack of caution, or failure to observe the laws.
Does the article set the amount of compensation for an accident?
No. The article only sets the causes of liability, without stating its type or the amount of compensation.
Is the driver detained after an accident?
Under Article 61, if the accident results in death or serious bodily injury, the driver responsible must be detained for a period not exceeding 72 hours, which the competent court may extend, and he is released as soon as he provides the required guarantee or insurance policy.
More articles on Traffic Accidents
- Article 28
The article makes the driver responsible for all damage to lives or public or private property resulting from carrying loads that violate the prescribed weights and dimensions or from ignoring loading safety rules, unless another's responsibility is proven.
يعد السائق مسئولا عن جميع الأضرار التي تصيب الأرواح أو الممتلكات العامة أو الخاصة ؛ نتيجة لنقل أحمال مخالفة للأوزان والأبعاد المقررة نظاما، أو لعدم مراعاة قواعد
- Article 49
The article allows the Minister of Interior to permit the establishment of non-governmental civil associations to raise public awareness and reduce road accidents, and leaves their duties and powers to the Implementing Regulations.
لوزير الداخلية السماح بإنشاء جمعيات أهلية غير حكومية لتوعية المواطنين والحد من حوادث الطرق. وتحدد اللائحة واجبات هذه الجمعيات واختصاصاتها.
- Article 59
The article divides traffic accidents into a minor traffic accident and a serious traffic accident, and leaves the details to the Implementing Regulations.
تنقسم الحوادث المرورية إلى قسمين: أ - الحادث المروري البسيط . ب - الحادث المروري الجسيم . وتحدد اللائحة تفاصيل ذلك.
- Article 67
The article makes deciding disputes and traffic accident cases the jurisdiction of the competent courts.
تتولى المحاكم المختصة الفصل في المنازعات، وقضايا الحوادث المرورية.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.