KUWAIT: The interior ministry has reminded motorists that the new traffic law, stipulating far tougher jail terms and fines, will be applied on April 22, adding that 12 types of offenders will be detained and some of them must go to court. In a statement on its account on X platform, the ministry said that no compromise or financial settlements will be accepted for three major offences, which must go to court.

The cases include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs which carries a jail term of one to two years and a fine between KD 1,000 and KD 2,000 or one of them, driving under the influence of alcohol and causing an accident and damage to property, which carries a jail term of one to three years and a fine between KD 2,000 and KD 3,000.

The third offense is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing an accident resulting in a death or injury, carrying a jail term of two to five years and a fine between KD 2,000 and KD 5,000, the largest traffic fine, or one of the two penalties.

The ministry’s statement also listed 12 offenses where police will immediately detain offenders without stating the duration. These offenses include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, causing a traffic mishap resulting in a death or injury and racing on the road without a license, running away after causing an accident or refusing to obey police orders.

The offenses also include driving above speed limit by 50 kilometers or more, driving buggies in places not allocated for them, running the red traffic light, using vehicles for purposes not licensed for, using vehicles to carry passengers without a license, reckless driving that endangers the life of the driver or others, driving without a license or with a suspended license, and driving a vehicle without plate numbers.

The ministry also reiterated the amounts of financial settlements for a number of major offenses. It said that a fine of KD 150 will be collected for running the red traffic light, reckless driving that endangers life, illegal racing on roads and parking in places allocated to the handicapped.

Offenses that carry a KD 75 fine include driving a vehicle without a license or with a suspended one, driving a vehicle with noise, dirty emissions or dropping materials on the road and using mobile phones or any other devices while driving. The ministry also said the fine for not wearing a seatbelt is KD 30. Most of these fines have been increased substantially, in some cases tenfold. The ministry also said that the new law allows courts to exchange some of the jail terms with social service.