Kuwait’s new traffic law to curb reckless driving, reduce violations

• The government is planning to enact a series of pre-prepared laws, which reduce traffic congestion and impose severe penalties.

• Anyone exceeding the speed limit on main and internal roads will be punished with three months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 500 dinars. A penalty of two months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 200 dinars will be imposed for tinting the car in violation.

A government source confirmed that the new traffic law is prepared for approval after finalizing its form, highlighting numerous amendments and harsh penalties. The law aims to deter reckless behavior, reduce serious violations, and ease traffic congestion.

The source pointed out that the government is keen to approve several pre-prepared laws that will be enacted successively. This includes the new traffic law with severe penalties, as studies have shown that the current law is not sufficiently deterrent and is not keeping pace with the significant population growth, the doubling of vehicle numbers, and urban expansion.

The sources pointed out that the new traffic law includes severe penalties, ranging from imprisonment to heavy fines, for certain violations. However, “these penalties will be applied only if the law is approved in its final form and reviewed by the relevant committee and competent state authorities.”

The new penalties include imprisonment for a period of three months or a fine of 300 dinars for anyone using a smartphone while driving. The same penalties apply to anyone driving a dilapidated vehicle that puts lives at risk.

To limit recklessness, the upcoming traffic law stipulates, “according to its final draft,” that anyone exceeding the speed limit on main and internal roads will be punished with three months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 500 dinars. Additionally, a penalty of two months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 200 dinars will be imposed for tinting the car in violation.

The prospective law stipulates a prison sentence of one to three years or a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 dinars for anyone driving a car while drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Additionally, statistics from the Ministry of Justice revealed approximately 6,000 pending traffic cases before the courts from January to March 2024.

During this period, the courts issued 57 prison sentences in traffic cases, while 55 cases resulted in the withdrawal of driving licenses from reckless individuals and those who committed serious violations.

Some severe penalties

• A fine of 75 dinars for allowing children or pets to peek out of the car.
• A fine ranging from 100 to 200 dinars for placing a child under the age of ten in the front seats.
• A penalty of 250 to 500 dinars for failing to give way to firefighters, ambulances, and police.
• Three months of imprisonment or a fine ranging from 200 to 500 dinars for running a red light.