Latest news with #GeneralTrafficDirectorate
Shafaq News
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Dust storms hit Iraq before expected weather shift
Shafaq News/ Iraq is expected to see calmer weather conditions in the second half of May, with the summer season officially beginning in June, an Iraqi meteorologist said on Sunday. Meteorologist Sadeq Al-Attiya told Shafaq News that Iraq's spring weather fluctuations—common from March to mid-May—are driven by unstable pressure systems, with cold air from Europe clashing with warm currents from the Arabian Peninsula and recurring 'Khamsin lows' every 50 days. 'When precipitation is scarce, particularly in Iraq's western desert regions, the lack of vegetation increases the likelihood of dust storms in spring,' Al-Attiya noted. He added that regional sources contribute significantly to Iraq's dust burden, particularly eastern Syria, which has seen widespread desertification due to neglect, along with parts of southern Iraq and Al-Anbar province, where poor rainfall has turned large areas into dust hotspots. However, he projected a gradual stabilization of weather patterns after mid-May as the country enters the dry summer phase. That period is typically dominated by strong northwesterly winds, which persist for 40 to 45 days and bring frequent dust storms, particularly during midday. On May 5, a thick dust storm blanketed Baghdad, turning the capital into a ghostly yellow scene and severely reducing visibility across the city. Iraq's General Traffic Directorate warned that the storm could expand into central and southern Iraq by evening, urging road users to reduce speed, use hazard lights, maintain safe distances between vehicles, and stop driving altogether if visibility becomes critically low. Stabilization is expected to begin later Monday, with clearer skies and mild springtime conditions forecast for the night.
Arab Times
01-03-2025
- Automotive
- Arab Times
Trucks Banned During Peak Hours in Ramadan Across Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, Mar 1: Kuwait's General Traffic Directorate has announced truck movement restrictions on all roads during the holy month of Ramadan to ease traffic congestion. Trucks will be prohibited from operating in the morning from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM and in the afternoon from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. The measure aims to ensure smoother traffic flow during peak hours, especially as residents observe Ramadan.
Daily Tribune
08-02-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Proposal to exempt vehicle registration fees faces opposition in Parliament
A proposal to exempt citizens and residents from vehicle registration fees, which range from 15 to 60 Bahraini dinars depending on the type of vehicle, may get shelved by the Council of Representatives. This follows opposition from the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, which raised concerns over the potential negative impact on the state's budget and financial balance programme. MP Ali Al Noaimi, who introduced the proposal, explained that his intention is to alleviate financial burdens on citizens in light of rising living costs and increasing prices of goods and services. He argued that removing registration fees would provide much-needed relief to the public. However, the committee countered by stating that vehicle registration fees are meant to cover a specific service provided to vehicle owners. They highlighted that the registration certificate functions as both an official permit and a validity certificate issued by the General Traffic Directorate, which allows vehicles to operate on the roads for the duration of the validity period, subject to legal conditions. The committee also noted that the fees are tied to the weight and type of the vehicle, as larger vehicles can cause more damage to roads and require more frequent maintenance. The committee further emphasized that the Minister of Interior had already implemented a measure to exempt seniors from half of the fees for renewing their vehicle registration certificates and driving licenses. They also criticized the proposal for being overly broad, lacking specified criteria or standards for exempting individuals from the fee. Before the committee's final decision, the Ministry of Interior also expressed concerns regarding the proposal, underlining that the fees are not intended for profit but to cover the costs of services and road maintenance related to vehicle registration. The Ministry noted that the fee structure is designed to reflect the varying impacts different vehicles have on road conditions and infrastructure. The Council of Representatives is scheduled to discuss and vote on the proposal next Tuesday, with its future uncertain amid these objections.
