Saudi Arabia 's government made what may be its first official reaction to a campaign calling on Saudi women to defy the country 's de facto driving ban on Saturday , saying the kingdom 's `` laws will be fully enforced '' that day . However , an influential supporter of the campaign said she believes the statement is not aimed at women who plan to drive , but at others who might consider that a good day to stage demonstrations of their own in a nation where protests are outlawed and gatherings are tightly controlled . The Interior Ministry issued the statement Wednesday on SPA , Saudi Arabia 's official news agency . Addressing what it called `` rumors exchanged over social networks and some media outlets calling for congregations and marches , '' the Interior Ministry said that `` the laws of the Kingdom prohibit activities disturbing the public peace and opening venues to sedition . '' Saudi blogger and opinion writer Tamador Alyami , a supporter of the campaign who recently posted a video showing her driving in the city of Jedda , noted that a Twitter account supporting Saudi political prisoners recently `` tweeted a message saying you have to take advantage of this day , that it 's an opportunity to go out there and demonstrate and ask for the rights of the political prisoners . '' `` As soon as I read the Interior Ministry statement , I was sure the message was meant for them , not for those who will go out to drive , '' she said , adding that women drivers will not be demonstrating that day . No traffic law specifically prohibits women from driving in Saudi Arabia , but religious edicts there are often interpreted to mean women are not allowed to operate a vehicle . Saudi cleric warns driving could damage women 's ovaries . In late September , an online movement was launched urging Saudi women to get behind the wheel . The October 26th Women 's Driving Campaign quickly gained momentum , with its online petition having so far garnered over 16,000 signatures . In addition , numerous Saudi women have already taken to the streets -- filming themselves driving through the streets of various cities , and then uploading those videos to YouTube . The language of the Interior Ministry 's statement `` shows that it was n't really about the 26th of October movement , '' Alyami said . `` They 've known about this campaign for a few months and there 's been no attempt to stop ( it ) . If they 've let it go this far , that should reassure us . '' Indeed , many women who have been out driving report having been spotted by traffic police who have n't stopped them . Alyami said she drove her car again on Wednesday to her parents ' house and passed two traffic policemen . `` One of the traffic policemen saw me and did n't stop me . I was scared , but when he just drove by and went away , I felt so happy , so reassured and more determined than ever to go out on the 26th . '' Saudi blogger detained , but she 's hopeful about campaign to allow women to drive .
A campaign calls on Saudi women to defy the country 's de facto driving ban on Saturday . The Interior Ministry warns Saudi laws prohibit `` activities disturbing the public peace '' A campaign supporter says the statement is not aimed at women planning to drive . Instead , she says , it is a warning to others planning to stage protests of their own .