KUWAIT CITY, April 9: Assistant Director of the Traffic Awareness Unit at the General Traffic Department (GTD) in the Interior Ministry Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Bu Hassan has announced that the installation of the new ‘Rasid’ cameras started Wednesday; indicating these cameras are battery-powered, easy to transport and install, and could detect speeding violations. Bu Hassan made the announcement at a press conference held Wednesday to launch the 38th Unified Gulf Traffic Week with the theme, “Driving without a Phone.” The event was held under the patronage of Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic and Operations Affairs Major General Yousef Al-Khudda, who attended the event along with senior officials from GTD, at the Operations Department building in South Sabahiya. Bu Hassan stated that the activities of the Unified Gulf Traffic Week will be launched on Sunday at the Avenues Mall, including an awareness exhibition that will feature the opening of blocks for traffic violations.

He disclosed the department is holding another exhibition at Khairan Mall on Wednesday and Thursday, including the opening of blocks for traffic violations. Presenting statistics from GTD, he revealed that the total number of private vehicles in 2024 reached 2,666,241; and the number of motorcycles reached 58,528. He said the total number of driving licenses reached 1,706,972 licenses -- 752,627 for Kuwaitis and 908,723 for non- Kuwaitis. He stated that traffic statistics for the first quarter of this year showed 1,49,382 traffic violations; while the number of vehicles impounded reached 1,430 and motorcycles reached 810. He added the number of people arrested at traffic points during the first quarter of this year reached 665. He went on to say that the number of speeding violations in the first quarter of this year reached 332,536; using a mobile phone while driving reached 30,190; running a red light reached 24,738; and not wearing a seat belt reached 70,708.

Cameras
 “The number of traffic cameras included 355 fixed surveillance cameras, seven mobile surveillance cameras, 355 trespass cameras, 20 P2P speed cameras, 161 variable message boards, and 252 seat belt and phone violation cameras. “Around 90 percent of traffic accidents are caused by inattention while driving and phone use. The number of traffic accidents last year reached 65,991 resulting in 284 deaths, including 90 run-over accidents and 194 other accidents. The number of deaths in traffic accidents during the first quarter of this year reached 65. “The number of speeding violations in the first quarter of this year reached 332,536, including 30,190 for phone use; 24,738 for running a red light; and 70,708 for not wearing a seat belt. The current number of traffic patrols is 750 vehicles and 335 motorcycles. Cameras have been installed inside patrol cabs, as well as front and rear cameras,” he added. Al-Subhan reiterated that all blocked violations will be opened at the traffic exhibition Al-Khairan and Avenues malls, except violations related to parking in spaces designated for the disabled. He also indicated that impounded vehicles will be released after paying the traffic fines and other fees. He stated that the fines stipulated in the new traffic law take effect on April 22, highlighting a significant decrease in traffic violations and an increase in seat belt compliance even before the new law is implemented.

Meanwhile, the borders are now equipped with smart devices for reading identification documents and thermal cameras to determine the number of people inside vehicles, reports Al-Anba daily quoting a source from the security sector. The source disclosed that the smart devices are similar to those found at airports, and they can accurately read civil identification cards and other identity documents. These devices are also capable of detecting tampering; while the thermal cameras can verify the number of people inside vehicles to prevent attempts to smuggle people. The source stated that the devices were installed at the ports after the visit of acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, who issued a directive in this regard; adding that the installation of thermal cameras is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

By Munif Naif
 Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies