New traffic law mandates confiscation of vehicles involved in reckless driving, negligence, and racing

• Alternative Penalties – Violators could involve up to 8 hours of community service per day for up to a year.

• The violator’s vehicle may be impounded for up to 2 months, and car owner can request home reservation by paying vehicle transfer fees.

• If violation is repeated, the case will be referred to court, where the fine will range from 150 to 300 dinars.

• Running a red light carries fine of 150 dinars, which can increase up to 1,000 dinars if case is brought to court.

The Director of the Coordination and Follow-up Department at the General Directorate of Traffic and Head of the Unified Gulf Traffic Week of 2025, Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Ajmi, revealed that the new traffic law mandates the confiscation of vehicles involved in serious violations such as reckless driving, negligence, and racing.

The court may order the confiscation either on its own initiative or at the request of the Ministry of Interior. Once a final judicial ruling is issued, the vehicle becomes the property of the Ministry, which can dispose it, regardless of the vehicle’s condition or value, including luxury or expensive cars.

In a statement to Radio 360, Al-Ajmi explained that the new traffic law includes alternative penalties for violators, which could involve up to 8 hours of community service per day for up to a year. This could also include repairing any damage to streets, sidewalks, or signage, as well as attending traffic awareness lectures as determined by the judge.

Al-Ajmi explained that in the case of traffic accidents where there is no damage to the vehicles or injuries, both parties involved can take photographs of both the vehicles and the accident scene. They should then proceed to the nearest outpost instead of blocking traffic, as intentionally disrupting traffic could result in a traffic violation.

Furthermore, Al-Ajmi pointed out that under the new traffic law, a violator’s vehicle may be impounded for up to two months. The car owner can request home reservation by paying vehicle transfer fees, during which a device will be installed to prevent the car from moving. If the device is tampered with or removed, the owner will be held legally accountable.

Al-Ajmi added that under the new traffic law, the fine for disturbing noise violations is 75 dinars if settled amicably. If the violation is repeated, the case will be referred to court, where the fine will range from 150 to 300 dinars, with imprisonment of up to 3 months. He also noted that running a red light carries a fine of 150 dinars, which can increase to between 600 and 1,000 dinars if the case is brought to court, in addition to the possibility of imprisonment.

Regarding serious accidents, Al-Ajmi pointed out that in the first nine months of this year, there were 199 deaths resulting from traffic accidents, making accidents the second leading cause of death in Kuwait, according to Ministry of Health statistics. He emphasized that 92% of these accidents are caused by inattention while driving.

Source: Al Rai