Kuwait triples fines, empowers police under a stricter traffic law
KUWAIT CITY -The Ministry of Interior announced that Decree-Law No. 5/2025, which amends certain provisions of Decree- Law No. 67/1976 related to traffic regulations, will come into effect on Tuesday, April 22. Under this decree-law, police officers will be authorized to arrest individuals who cross the stop line when the traffic light is red, and other such offenses, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In a press release, the Ministry of Interior's General Directorate of Security Relations and Media outlined the traffic offenses that will result in the arrest of offenders.
They are:
Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or psychotropic substances.
Committing a traffic accident that results in injury or death.
Participating in a motor vehicle race on roads without a permit or in violation of the granted permit.
Attempting to flee in the event of an accident that harms a person's safety or failing to comply with an order issued by a police officer to stop.
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h.
Driving all-terrain vehicles in areas not designated for them.
Crossing a red traffic light.
Using a vehicle for purposes other than its designated use.
Using a vehicle to transport passengers for a fee without a permit.
Driving a motor vehicle recklessly, or operating it in a way that endangers the driver's or others' lives or property.
Driving a motor vehicle without a valid driving license, in cases where the license has been revoked or suspended, with a license that does not match the vehicle category, or without the necessary permit as required by the law or its regulations.
Driving a vehicle without plates issued by the General Traffic Department. Under the new law, the fines for various traffic violations have been significantly increased.
The fine for running a red light has been raised from KD 50 (USD 163.1) to KD 150 (USD 489.5).
Reckless driving fines have been increased from KD 30 (USD 97.9) to KD 150 (USD 489.5).
Parking in spaces designated for people with special needs now carries a fine of KD 150 (USD 489.5), up from the previous KD 10 (USD 32.6).
Using a mobile phone while driving will now result in a fine of KD 75 (USD 244.7), up from KD 5 (USD 16.3).
The fine for failing to wear a seatbelt has been increased from KD 10 (USD 32.6) to KD 30 (USD 97.9).
These tougher penalties are part of the new law's efforts to enhance public safety, protect both motorists and pedestrians, and ensure the safety of property
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan govt begins cancelling passports of deportees
Pakistan's government has initiated cancelling the passports of deportees due to fake documents and beggary to discourage such practices. Data released by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development showed that over 7,800 Pakistanis were deported from 2019 to 2025 for different charges, including beggary. All of these deportees' passports are being cancelled, the Pakistani media reported. Most of these deportees are from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which house a higher number of South Asian diaspora. As reported by Khaleej Times last month, the South Asian government stated that all deportees' passports will be cancelled upon arrival in the country and a first information report (FIR) will be filed against them for illegal practices. In addition, the government also announced that the deportees will be placed on the passport control list, ensuring that they don't travel abroad for five years. The Ministry of Interior has started placing these deportees' names on the passport control list to ensure that they don't travel abroad. The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources earlier this week discussed the matter of deportees and discussed steps taken to prevent such incidents. Millions of skilled Pakistani workers are employed in various countries, contributing immensely to the country's foreign exchange reserves. More than 5.5 million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE and other neighbouring Gulf countries. Millions of South Asian nationals visit Dubai, UAE and other regional countries for tourism. Pakistanis in the UAE have welcomed the government's decision to cancel the passports of deportees and put them on the passport control list for illegal practices because these initiatives will ease travel and visa restrictions for genuine visitors. The Senate Standing Committee recommended that the ministry initiate criminal proceedings against agencies for their involvement in sending deportees abroad. However, the question of legality of cancelling passports for crimes committed in foreign countries was also raised by a senator during the meeting.
Arabian Business
3 days ago
- Arabian Business
Kuwait reports massive 83% reduction in traffic violations
Traffic violations across Kuwait dropped by 83 percent more than a month after new rules were enforced, according to Ministry of Interior data. Last month, the number of traffic violations stood at 28,464, as compared to 168,208 registered in the same period a year earlier, the statistics show. Crossing red traffic lights and exceeding the speed limit were cited as the most frequent infractions. Kuwait traffic report Traffic-related deaths dropped by 55 percent over the past year, while cell phone use when driving and failure to wear a seatbelt had both fallen by 75 per cent, according to the data.
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Gaza officials respond to revelation Netanyahu arming gangs: 'Incompetence'
A statement from the Ministry of Interior in Gaza has responded to Thursday's revelation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent weapons to gangs in Gaza in a bid to counter Hamas. "This admission represents Israeli incompetence and failure after 20 months of aggression and targeting of police and security personnel," the statement said. "We affirm that what the occupation failed to achieve on its own, it will not achieve with its cheap tools," it added. "We call on our people to stand united alongside the security forces to thwart the occupation's dangerous plans and protect security."
