Manama: An average of 20 Saudis get involved in traffic violations or accidents in Bahrain daily, a Saudi embassy official has said.
"What troubles the embassy most is the number of traffic offences involving Saudi nationals driving in Bahrain, with a daily average exceeding 20," Mokhlid Al Otaibi, from the citizens' affairs section in the Saudi embassy in Manama, said.
The offences include jumping red lights, driving the wrong way, incorrect parking, not having insurance policies and not carrying driving licences.
According to the official, seven Saudis are currently behind bars in Bahrain for committing felonies.
"Two Saudis are held for seven and ten years. There are also Saudis held in cases of drugs and theft. There are also Saudi nationals detained for being implicated in cases of drink driving," he said.
"We at the embassy constantly follow up their cases and hire lawyers to help them," Al Otaibi said, quoted by Okaz newspaper.
Bahrain operates a zero tolerance towards drink driving and any driver caught driving under the influence of alcohol is detained and eventually imprisoned for six months unless a 500 Bahraini dinar (Dh4,872) fine is paid.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been linked through the 25-kilometre King Fahd Causeway since November 1986.
More than 48,000 motorists cross the causeway in both directions every day, according to latest figures.
The total number of people who have used the link has now exceeded 170 million, the King Fahd Causeway Authority said this week.
