If husbands and brothers want it, then what could be a problem? The wishes of the women involved don’t seem to matter at all. From Arab News, with thanks to Sr. Soph:
JEDDAH, 26 December 2005 “” Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, yesterday emphasized the government’s readiness to open the way for women driving once they get consent from their families.
“When fathers, husbands and brothers ask us for women to drive we will look into it, but if they ask us the opposite we can’t force them (to let women drive),” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the crown prince as saying. In a previous statement, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah had said that Saudi women would be permitted to drive someday.
“I believe strongly in the rights of women,” the king had said in his first television interview since acceding to the throne on Aug. 1.
“I believe the day will come when women will drive. I believe it will be possible and I believe patience is a virtue,” the king had told Barbara Walters of ABC News. However, he had said he would not impose it against the will of his people by issuing a royal decree.