Latest news with #GeneralDirectorateofTraffic
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Arbaeen pilgrimage: Iraq implements a full security and service plan
Shafaq News – Najaf On Friday, Iraq's Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari announced the launch of a comprehensive security and service plan for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, emphasizing Najaf's role as a vital hub for millions of pilgrims heading to Karbala. 'Najaf is no less important than Karbala during Arbaeen,' he stressed during a press conference. 'It is a key gateway for pilgrims and requires the same level of preparation and attention.' Arbaeen, observed 40 days after Ashura, marks the martyrdom of Hussein Bin Ali, the third Imam in Shia Islam and grandson of Prophet Mohammad. Millions are expected to converge on Karbala, many traveling on foot from other provinces—especially Najaf, located about 73 kilometers away—along routes lined with thousands of volunteer-run tents offering food, water, and medical care. Al-Shammari outlined a coordinated plan that combines intelligence gathering, field deployment, and logistical support. Medical teams, civil defense units, and municipal services have also been placed on high alert to respond promptly during the pilgrimage. With preparations progressing as planned, Al-Shammari confirmed the introduction of a traffic management strategy designed to reduce accidents by separating pedestrian and vehicle routes. Surveillance cameras, radar systems, and road patrols have been deployed, supported by the full mobilization of the General Directorate of Traffic. 'All government sectors are working as one team to ensure the pilgrimage proceeds smoothly and safely,' he concluded.
Gulf Insider
07-08-2025
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain To Install 500 New Surveillance Cameras To Boost Traffic Safety
Bahrain is set to enhance its road safety measures with the installation of 500 new surveillance cameras across the Kingdom, marking a significant step in enforcing traffic laws and improving road discipline. The initiative comes under the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Interior to protect lives, reduce accidents, and strengthen traffic law enforcement. Major Khalid Buqais, Director of the Traffic Culture Directorate, explained on the 'Shams Al Bahrain' program that the cameras will play a key role in detecting serious violations such as running red lights, reckless driving, and excessive speeding. He noted that the move represents a major shift in creating safer and more organized roads. The project is accompanied by proposed updates to the Traffic Law, including stricter financial and custodial penalties, license revocations, and vehicle confiscations for severe offenses resulting in injuries or fatalities. Major Buqais also highlighted the importance of public awareness alongside stricter enforcement, stressing that road safety 'starts at home and in schools' and requires collective societal effort. With these upgrades, the General Directorate of Traffic aims to make Bahrain a regional leader in road safety and ensure that all road users can travel more securely.
ILoveQatar.net
27-07-2025
- Automotive
- ILoveQatar.net
Ministry gives 30 days from 27 July 2025 to rectify expired vehicle registrations to avoid legal action
The Ministry of Interior announced on 27 July 2025 that owners of vehicles with expired registrations beyond the legal period stipulated in Article (11) of Traffic Law No. (19) of 2007, must rectify their vehicle status within 30 days from the date of the announcement to avoid legal action. As part of efforts to regulate vehicle status and ensure compliance with traffic laws and regulations, the General Directorate of Traffic calls on owners of vehicles with expired registrations that have exceeded the legal period stipulated in Article (11) of Traffic Law No. (19)… — Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) July 27, 2025 The action is part of the General Directorate of Traffic's effort to ensure traffic laws & regulations are being complied with. Source & cover image credit: Ministry of Interior
Local Spain
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Local Spain
Police slam new compulsory V-16 emergency light for drivers in Spain
From January 1st, 2026, passenger vehicles in Spain will be required to use an emergency light in the event of a breakdown or road accident, however it has been met with much criticism. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) introduced the V-16 emergency light, first in 2021 and it is due to replace the warning triangle lights in 2026. It is designed to reduce the number of accidents caused by vehicles breaking down in the middle or on the side of roads, as well as reduce the number of drivers being run over while they're using the warning triangles. However, Spain's Unified Association of Civil Guard Police have criticised the effectiveness of these new lights already. They claim that they're not useful on roads with a high number of bends as oncoming drivers don't get the pre-warning that a triangle provides. Furthermore, they stress that the V-16 lights are not bright or visible enough during daytime hours, rendering them useless. In the past, Spanish Civil Guard officers have also spoken out on social media about the dangers of these lights. In a tweet from last year, the association said: "According to DGT studies, many drivers have died after being hit by vehicles due to getting out to put down the warning triangle, but they don't know how many accidents have been avoided by using it. The new little light is useless if the vehicle is at the top of a hill or after a sharp bend'. Guardia Civil officers argue that the V-16 lights may not fulfil their purpose in daylight hours due to their visibility not covering the full 360 degrees. This is because the mandatory intensity for these lights is between 40 and 80 candela (light intensity units), which must be has for at least 30 minutes. Therefore, they are not visible from a kilometre away during the day. Some manufacturers have been making V-16s with an intensity of up to 200 candela to counteract this. Unfortunately, this comes with another issue in that it may be harmful to the driver's eyesight if viewed for a long period of time. According to the DGT website, V-16 lights must be approved or certified and must also be connected to the DGT 3.0 GPS platform, which allows the exact location of a vehicle to be sent in real time. This connectivity is what's increased their cost to around €50, another grievance for drivers. The DGT website gives a list of V-16 light models which have already been approved. If you are buying a new car from a dealership in Spain, it's recommended that you request the V-16 emergency light to be included free of charge. Then again, you may want to wait a bit longer to find out if they have to be adapted to counteract their current shortcomings.
Gulf Insider
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Sets 1-Year Limit For Foreign Drivers Using International Licences
The General Directorate of Traffic in Saudi Arabia has issued new clarifications regarding the conditions under which foreign visitors may drive using international or foreign driving licences. According to the authority, visitors may use an international or foreign licence to drive in the Kingdom for up to one year from their date of entry, or until the licence expires — whichever comes first. One key condition is that the licence must correspond to the category of the vehicle being driven. In addition, all foreign licences must be translated by an accredited body to ensure the accuracy and clarity of information. However, these rules do not apply to citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. For GCC residents, the Traffic Department confirmed that they may drive in Saudi Arabia using a valid licence issued in their home country, without requiring a temporary Saudi licence. They can continue to use that licence for its full validity period. That said, the authority clarified that international driving permits issued within GCC countries are not valid for cross-border driving within GCC states, including in Saudi Arabia.
