Eyes on the road, distraction while driving still remains main concern of road deaths
- A glance at a mobile phone behind the wheel can have consequences far beyond a traffic fine
- Nearly 95,000 drivers caught using phones behind the wheel
- Stricter traffic laws show results, but mobile phone use behind the wheel persists
A glance at a mobile phone behind the wheel can have consequences far beyond a traffic fine. In Kuwait, nearly 95,000 drivers were caught using handheld mobile phones while driving in just five months, highlighting the persistent danger of distracted driving and the need for greater responsibility on the roads.
According to statistics obtained by Al-Rai, Kuwait recorded 94,945 violations for using a handheld mobile phone while driving between April and August last year, out of a total of 1,118,668 traffic violations during the same period. Whether answering a call, checking WhatsApp or browsing social media, taking attention away from the road can endanger drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other motorists.
Colonel Fahd Al-Essa, Director of the Traffic Awareness Department at the General Directorate of Traffic, said official figures showed encouraging results following amendments to the Traffic Law and the introduction of stricter penalties. Traffic accidents fell by 45 percent in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, while fatalities resulting from accidents declined by 34 percent. Speeding and red-light violations also recorded significant decreases after the law came into effect.
Al-Essa stressed that the purpose of the law was not simply to punish offenders, but to protect lives and property, encourage compliance and make roads safer for everyone. He said traffic safety required a combination of public awareness, enforcement and responsible driving, adding that the focus extended beyond penalties to correcting everyday behaviours that put road users at risk.
These include illegal parking, failing to signal before turning or changing lanes, improper overtaking, stopping in yellow boxes or on pedestrian crossings, cutting across multiple lanes to reach an exit, blocking entrances and exits, and using road shoulders to bypass congestion. Using a mobile phone while driving remains another dangerous behaviour that can turn a routine journey into a serious accident.
For parents taking their children to school, commuters rushing to work and drivers navigating busy streets, the message is clear: no call, message or social media notification is worth a life. A moment of distraction can have irreversible consequences. Safe driving begins with keeping your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your attention on the people whose lives depend on your decisions.
