Kuwait enacts stricter traffic laws with hefty fines upto 150 dinars

• The new law will increase fines for violations, such as reckless driving and running red lights, from 30 to 150 Kuwaiti dinars.

• A points system will be implemented, leading to license suspension for drivers accumulating points from serious violations.

Kuwait is set to implement a stricter traffic law aimed at curbing the alarming rate of traffic accidents and fatalities.

The new legislation, currently in its final stages, will introduce significantly increased fines for traffic violations, according to Brigadier Nasser Bousleib, Director of Security Media at the Ministry of Interior.

Bousleib announced the development in an interview with Kuwait TV, reports Al-Qabas newspaper. He emphasized the ministry’s determination to address the growing concern over road safety.

The current traffic law, in place for over three decades, is deemed outdated and ineffective in deterring reckless driving.

The upcoming law promises a substantial overhaul of traffic penalties. For instance, the fine for reckless driving will jump from 30 Kuwaiti dinars to a hefty 150 dinars.

Similarly, running a red light will also incur a 150-dinar fine. These increased penalties aim to serve as a strong deterrent for drivers who disregard traffic rules.

To further enforce compliance, the new law will introduce a points system. Drivers accumulating a certain number of points due to serious traffic violations will face license suspension. Repeat offenders who lose their licenses will be required to retake the driving test.

Addressing the issue of impounded vehicles, Bousleib clarified that recent seizures targeted those with outstanding legal judgments.

The ministry is also exploring the possibility of a “home impoundment” system to alleviate overcrowding at impoundment facilities.

With traffic fatalities hovering around 300-400 annually, the Kuwaiti government views the new traffic law as a crucial step towards improving road safety.