KUWAIT: The government has asked members of the National Assembly to expedite the approval of amendments to the traffic law to curb road accidents and protect the public from the injuries, deaths and losses they cause, according to sources. The current traffic violations law, the government reportedly said, is not sufficient to address current needs as it has been approved for decades.

The government indicated that road conditions have now changed as the number of cars is increasing and a new traffic law must be approved, in order to “reduce accidents and deaths, through the stiffening of traffic violations.” The new traffic law, including extensive amendments to the law currently in force, was referred to previous national assemblies over the past few years, but it was not possible to discuss it due dissolution or annulment of previous parliamentary sessions.

The new amendments to the law currently referred to the National Assembly include increasing traffic penalties, such as setting the fine for exceeding the speed limit at no more than KD 500 and no less than KD 200 and raising some violations by up to 1000 percent. Some of the most prominent fines in the draft law include fining people KD 500 for any of the following: passing a red light, using their phone, driving recklessly and speeding.

Fines could go up to KD 200 for seating children in the front seat, shading and making loud noises. They could reach KD 200 for placing stickers, driving without insurance and failing to adhere to road markings. Anyone driving or parking their vehicle on the sidewalk or those not wearing a seat belt could pay up to KD 150. The amendments also stipulate a fine of KD 75 for parking trucks and vehicles and selling goods in residential areas or public facilities as well as KD 75 for deliberately disrupting or obstructing traffic.