74 Expats Deported From Kuwait Over Traffic Violations
Kuwait deported 74 expats last year after they violated the country's traffic law as part of stringent penalties to boost road safety, according to a security official.
Brig. Mohammed Al Subhan said the deportees' violations were either driving a car without a licence or committing serious infringements.
He told Kuwait TV that the total violations of seat belts and using the phone by hand at the wheel reached 61,553 last year.
The official added that recent amendments to the Kuwait traffic law came due to the rise in accidents, violations and deaths.
The Ministry of Interior in Kuwait, a country of 4.7 million, records between 200 and 300 traffic accidents per day, resulting in 28 to 30 injuries, according to Brig. Al Subhan.
Some 90% of accidents are caused by inattention while driving.
Traffic accidents in Kuwait resulted last year in 284 deaths against 296 in 2023, according to official figures.
The fatalities included 11 children under the age of 14.
Kuwait is set to enforce in April a new traffic law that incorporates stringent penalties and hefty fines aimed at curbing reckless driving and enhancing road safety, replacing a traffic law that went into effect in 1976.
Under the new law, the fine for using a mobile phone while driving increases from KD5 ($16.2) to KD75, while the penalty for not wearing a seat belt triples to KD30. The fine for reckless driving has raised significantly from KD30 to KD150.
The penalty for driving past a red light is toughened from a misdemeanor to a felony. This offence is punishable by up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of KD1,000.
Officials have repeatedly emphasized that the new traffic law is necessary to reduce serious violations, as traffic accidents are seen as the second major cause of death in Kuwait after heart disease.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Red-light crash victim awarded BD9,000
A red-light crash that shattered a Bahraini man's leg has ended with a BD9,000 payout after a civil court ruled the woman behind the wheel was to blame. The High Civil Court ordered the payment. The defendant must also cover BD298.5 in court fees, BD20 in legal costs, BD90 for medical assessments and BD10 for translation. Representing the man was lawyer Jassim Al Issa. The crash happened on 12 July last year. The woman drove through a red light and struck the claimant's car. He was taken to hospital with a fractured thigh bone, a gash to the knee and bruises across his body. A criminal court later fined her BD1,000 after finding her guilty of a string of driving offences, including causing damage to property and failing to take due care. That ruling was not appealed and stood as final. Medical reports placed his permanent disability at 15 per cent. The man was left with pain, a limited range of movement in the right knee and visible scarring. The court also considered the mental strain he and his family had endured. Claim His original claim asked for BD5,001. This was raised to BD10,000 following the medical findings, which detailed the injury and loss of earnings. The court awarded BD9,000, with BD8,500 covering physical harm and BD500 for emotional distress. The claim for interest was turned down. Judges referred to Article 228 of the Civil Code, which bars interest on civil debts. But the defendant must still foot the full bill for legal and medical costs.
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Gulf Insider
UAE Football Association Suspends 2 Players for 5 Matches
UAE Football Association announced the suspension of 2 players for 5 matches in local competitions. The association's disciplinary committee named the two sportspersons — Sharjah Club player Khalid Al Dhanhani and Shabab Al Ahli Club player Sultan Adel. The association said they would be excluded from the national team roster, and fined them Dh500,000 each. This comes after the two players committed a violation inside the national team camp on June 7. The national team manager, Yani Allah, said the decision comes in accordance with the disciplinary and sanctions regulations for national teams. Shabab Al Ahli Club said it has decided to take necessary disciplinary measures against the player in accordance with its internal regulations. The club affirmed its strong rejection and condemnation of any behavior that contradicts the rules and regulations of the national teams and the Football Association. 'Representing the national team is a great honour for every player. Players are ambassadors for the nation, bearing the responsibility of reflecting an honorable image through their commitment to values, discipline, and sportsmanship,' the club said in a social media post. UAE regularly ensures that sports events take place in the right spirit, imposing fines and disciplinary actions on players or fans who show unruly behaviour. In May, Dubai-based football clubs Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli were fined a total of Dh150,000 following events that unfolded during the Adnoc Pro League match. The fans of both the clubs insulted each other, and threw liquid bottles onto the pitch and at the opposing team's fans. Al Wasl fans also a smoke bomb. Earlier this year, two football fans were arrested for using distress signal flares during matches. Also read: UAE Weather: Fog Alert in Abu Dhabi, NCM Forecasts Rain on Monday
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 11,500 Violators Of Laws, Deports 9,215 In One Week
Saudi authorities has arrested11,657 illegal residents were over the past week as part of the Kingdom's ongoing crackdown on residency and labour law violators, the Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday. The arrests were made during the joint campaigns carried out by the security forces between May 29 and June 4, in collaboration with the relevant government agencies. According to the ministry, the detainees included 6,981 violators of the Residency Law, 3,190 violators of the Border Security Law, and 1,486 violators of the Labour Law. Of these, 9,215 violators were deported while 12,122 were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 1,435 were referred to complete their travel reservations. Some 17,018 illegal residents, including 15,991 men and 1,027 women, are currently undergoing various phases of legal procedures as part of punitive measures against them. The ministry reiterated its warning that any person, who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalised with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transportation or houses used for giving shelter will be confiscated. The ministry urged the public to report violation by calling the number 911 in the regions of Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province and the numbers 999 and 996 in the Kingdom's other regions.
