Saudi Arabia: Man caught driving with hood open in Jeddah

Abu Dhabi: Saudi police chased down a reckless motorist who drove with his car’s hood open on Palestine Road in Jeddah, officers said on Twitter.

“A police patrol was on its regular rounds when they spotted the reckless driver driving his car recklessly with its hood open, on Palestine Road in Jeddah, putting his life and the lives of others at risk,” the police said.

The driver was remanded in police custody, pending moving to the public prosecution for further questioning and trial, police added.

The police advised motorists not to drive with the hood open as it can be a very dangerous. “It is difficult to see with the hood in your way, so it can cause you to hit something or hit vehicles around you. If your hood is not working properly, it is best to have it inspected at by a mechanic before the hood opens unexpectedly,” police said.

The hood of your vehicle covers the engine and is kept down by a latch. The hood can be opened by a latch on the interior of the vehicle, right below the steering wheel. Once the latch is pulled, the hood pops up slightly. Once the hood pops up, you can further open the hood from a secondary switch located underneath the front of the hood. This safety feature is designed just in case the hood accidentally releases while you are driving down the road.

If your hood happens to pop all the way open while you are driving, obstructing your view, police said, slow down and try to look underneath the hood. “If that is not possible, put your head out the driver’s side window to see around the hood. Follow the painted lines as a guide to point you towards the side of the road. Safely pull off the side of the road with your hazard lights on and shut your hood, police said.