Latest news with #KD75
Gulf Insider
23-04-2025
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait: KD75 Fine For Women Applying Makeup While Driving Under New Traffic Law
Kuwait has introduced a new traffic regulation that imposes a KD75 fine (approximately $250) on women caught applying makeup while driving, classifying the act as distracted driving. The updated law came into effect on Tuesday and is part of a broader initiative to curb reckless driving and enhance road safety across the country. According to Lt. Col. Youssef Al Rabah, applying makeup while operating a vehicle now falls under the same category as using a mobile phone or eating while driving. Repeat offenders may face increased penalties. The move comes in response to concerning traffic statistics from 2024, which recorded 284 road fatalities, including 11 children under the age of 14. Public figures and influencers in Kuwait were quick to spread awareness. Kuwaiti columnist Laila Al Qahtani issued a warning on Monday: 'Ladies, warning: Don't apply makeup while driving. The fine is KD 75 starting tomorrow.' The new law is one of several amendments to Kuwait's traffic regulations, aimed at reducing accidents by tightening fines and extending jail terms for serious violations.
Gulf Insider
21-04-2025
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait's New Traffic Law Explained: Tougher Penalties, Expats Limited To One Car And Jail For Red-Light Violations
A new traffic law in Kuwait, introducing tough penalties to reduce road accidents in the country, is due to go into effect on Tuesday amid a multilingual awareness campaign. The code, replacing a 1976 law, authorises traffic police to arrest offenders in severe offences and hikes up fines. Traffic police will be mandated to arrest offenders in specific cases including driving under the influence of drinking or drugs; causing an accident resulting in injury or death; involvement in a car race without a permit; and attempting to escape following an accident or in the event of failure to respond to a police order to stop. At a glance Using a mobile phone while driving: Fine of KD75 ($243); up to 3 months in jail and a fine between KD150 and KD300. Parking in spaces designated for the disabled: Fine of KD 150; up to 3 years in jail and fines ranging from KD600 to KD1,000. Driving without a valid license or using a suspended or incorrect license: Fine of KD75; up to 3 months in jail and a fine between KD150 and KD300. Other cases are exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h; driving a buggy in non-designated places; driving past a red-light signal; using a vehicle for a purpose other than its specified one or to transport passengers without a permit; driving recklessly or without a licence, or with a revoked or suspended licence; and driving without the Kuwaiti licence plates. 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. Reckless driving is penalized by a fine of KD150 instead of 30. Illegal usage of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities is fined by KD150 in the new law against KD10 previously. 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. Expatriates will be only allowed to own one car under the new law whereby the foreign motorist faces deportation if he/she repeats serious traffic violations, Kuwaiti officials have said. The law, meanwhile, incorporates alternative penalties such as community service as the judge deems fit. The alternative penalty will be issued in line with the violator's profession. Work in community service could be for up to one year, for eight hours a day, and without pay. The list of the alternative penalties includes obligating the offender to repair the damage caused by his/her serious infringement to public property at his/her own expense. The judge can combine more than one service penalty that becomes effective upon the issuance of the ruling. To promote awareness of the traffic and legal amendments, Kuwaiti au-thorities have launched a campaign in several languages, namely English, Persian, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Filipino. Kuwait, a country of 4.9 million people mostly expatriates, records between 200 and 300 traffic accidents per day. 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.
Gulf News
21-04-2025
- Gulf News
Kuwait's new traffic law explained: Tougher penalties, expats limited to one car and jail for red-light violations
Cairo: A new traffic law in Kuwait, introducing tough penalties to reduce road accidents in the country, is due to go into effect on Tuesday amid a multilingual awareness campaign. The code, replacing a 1976 law, authorises traffic police to arrest offenders in severe offences and hikes up fines. Traffic police will be mandated to arrest offenders in specific cases including driving under the influence of drinking or drugs; causing an accident resulting in injury or death; involvement in a car race without a permit; and attempting to escape following an accident or in the event of failure to respond to a police order to stop. At a glance Using a mobile phone while driving: Fine of KD75 ($243); up to 3 months in jail and a fine between KD150 and KD300. Parking in spaces designated for the disabled: Fine of KD 150; up to 3 years in jail and fines ranging from KD600 to KD1,000. Driving without a valid license or using a suspended or incorrect license: Fine of KD75; up to 3 months in jail and a fine between KD150 and KD300. Other cases are exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h; driving a buggy in non-designated places; driving past a red-light signal; using a vehicle for a purpose other than its specified one or to transport passengers without a permit; driving recklessly or without a licence, or with a revoked or suspended licence; and driving without the Kuwaiti licence plates. 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. Reckless driving is penalized by a fine of KD150 instead of 30. Illegal usage of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities is fined by KD150 in the new law against KD10 previously. 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. Expatriates will be only allowed to own one car under the new law whereby the foreign motorist faces deportation if he/she repeats serious traffic violations, Kuwaiti officials have said. The law, meanwhile, incorporates alternative penalties such as community service as the judge deems fit. The alternative penalty will be issued in line with the violator's profession. Work in community service could be for up to one year, for eight hours a day, and without pay. Alternative penalties The list of the alternative penalties includes obligating the offender to repair the damage caused by his/her serious infringement to public property at his/her own expense. The judge can combine more than one service penalty that becomes effective upon the issuance of the ruling. To promote awareness of the traffic and legal amendments, Kuwaiti au-thorities have launched a campaign in several languages, namely English, Persian, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Filipino. Kuwait, a country of 4.9 million people mostly expatriates, records between 200 and 300 traffic accidents per day. Some 90% of accidents are caused by inattention while driving.
Gulf Insider
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait To Impound Noisy Cars To Curb Reckless Driving
Kuwait has warned motorists of temporarily impounding noise-making vehicles as part of a new stringent traffic law aimed to boost road safety and curb reckless driving in the country. The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry said it will take strict measures against vehicles that violate security and durability requirements, and emit disturbing noises. The ministry added that any such vehicle will be impounded for 60 days while legal measures will be taken against its driver. Kuwait, a country of 4.9 million people, records between 200 and 300 traffic accidents per day, resulting in 28 to 30 injuries. 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 tough penalties and hefty fines, 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 considered the second major cause of death in Kuwait after heart disease.
Gulf Insider
15-02-2025
- Gulf Insider
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.
