A new traffic law set to be implemented soon in Kuwait will limit expatriates to owning only one vehicle, as announced by Major-General Yousef Al-Khaddah, Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs and Operations, on Thursday. He also stated that fines and penalties will significantly increase to address rising accident rates. “The new law allows expatriates to own just one vehicle,” Al-Khaddah explained in an interview with KUNA.
The law, which raises some fines by as much as 750 percent, has been approved by the government’s legal department, the public prosecution, and the higher judicial council. The Interior Minister recently sent it to the Council of Ministers for approval, and upon their endorsement, HH the Amir will issue it through a decree. The legislative process does not require National Assembly approval as it is currently dissolved.
Al-Khaddah noted that the current traffic law, dating back to 1976, has insufficient penalties to deter offenders. Under the new regulations, the minimum fine, such as parking in prohibited areas, will rise from KD 5 to KD 15, while the maximum fine could reach KD 5,000. He added that police issue an average of 300 traffic tickets daily, with 90 percent due to driver negligence, mobile phone use, or reckless driving.
The fine for using a mobile phone while driving will increase from KD 5 to KD 75, and the fine for not wearing a seatbelt will triple from KD 10 to KD 30. Reckless driving fines will rise from KD 30 to KD 150, and penalties for running a red light or road racing will increase to KD 150 from the current KD 50. Additionally, fines for vehicles with harmful emissions, excessive noise, or leaking hazardous substances will jump from KD 10 to KD 75, and parking in spaces reserved for the handicapped will carry a fine of KD 150, up from KD 10.
Speeding fines will increase from KD 20–50 to a range of KD 70–150. For driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fines will range from KD 1,000 to KD 3,000, with a jail term of one to two years. If property damage occurs, fines will be KD 2,000–3,000, with a jail term of one to three years. If an accident results in injury or death, the fine will be between KD 2,000 and KD 5,000, and the prison sentence could range from two to five years. The new law also allows jail terms to be replaced with community service and provides an option to have seized vehicles kept at home rather than at Ministry facilities.
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Who ever wrote this article has no idea how to write !! Which country??? No mention!!