Kuwait City: Kuwait on Tuesday officially started implementing new and more stringent laws aiming to curb traffic deaths and protect lives, with such legislation marking a watershed in national efforts to ensure road traffic safety and protection.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the new rules arise from a sharp rise in traffic crashes and violations over the past years. The regulations aim to generate more road safety awareness, granting police officers the "authority" to detain those committing grave traffic violations, such as speeding above the 50-kmph limit.
A significant example of these infractions includes crossing a red traffic light, which will incur a harsher penalty of a fine worth KD 150. Reckless driving that endangers other commuters' lives will be treated as criminal behavior to curb road irresponsibility.
The new law also prohibits cell phone use while driving, a violation now carrying a KD-75 fine, a considerable increase from the previous KD 5. Additionally, failure to wear a seatbelt is punished by a fine of up to KD 30, and reckless driving incurs a KD-150 fine, according to the new rules.
The legislation also identifies driving under the influence of any intoxicating substance as a traffic violation that will be referred to court immediately. This carries a penalty of no more than a KD-3,000 fine and a jail term that does not exceed two years.
According to government data, there has been an increase in traffic-related deaths and violations in recent years, with lax rules and regulations previously contributing to the rise in pedestrian fatalities.
Kuwait's interior ministry has launched an extensive campaign to boost public visibility and awareness of the new traffic law, with officials appearing on state television to discuss the details of these regulations.