Saudi man explains why wife was driving

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MADINAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Police in western Saudi Arabia questioned but released a woman who was driving the family vehicle after her husband became sick, officials said.

Police near the city of Madinah said they set up a check-point after they received word that a woman was seen driving Monday, Gulf News reported Tuesday.

Police said the woman's husband, who was in the vehicle with her, said she began driving after he complained of being sick and the situation required her to take the wheel.

Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia and women activists have been pushing to lift the restriction.

The husband, who was treated at a local clinic, said he wouldn't allow his wife to drive again in keeping with local customs, the Gulf News reported.

As of November, three Saudi women have sued over the ban.