Riyadh: A Saudi police official says a young woman in her twenties defying a driving ban in the capital died along with three female friends when her car overturned.

Major Fawaz Al Mouman said on Sunday that the woman was driving her four wheel drive vehicle carrying 10 of her female friends on Saturday night in an open area often used by young men in car races.

The vehicle overturned and killed four passengers including the driver, while the remaining six others were taken to a nearby hospital in northeastern Riyadh to treat their injuries.

In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive or vote.