KUWAIT CITY, April 22: Enhanced road discipline and compliance among motorists were noticeable on Tuesday -- the first day of implementing the revised Traffic Law. Motorists are obligated to use seatbelts, abstain from mobile phones usage by hand while driving, respect traffic signals, and refrain from parking in restricted zones. Issued in January, Decree-Law No. 5/2025 amended certain sections of Decree-Law No. 67/1976 on traffic regulations. These amendments were published in the Official Gazette and took effect after a three-month grace period. Director of the Security Media Department at the Ministry of Interior Colonel Othman Al-Gharib affirmed the extensive preparatory efforts of the ministry, including a six-month public awareness campaign to educate citizens and expatriates about the new traffic legislation. He said the objectives of the revised law are to guarantee public safety and prevent traffic accidents that result in fatalities and serious injuries.
Al-Gharib informed the newspaper that comprehensive awareness campaigns in multiple languages on various platforms preceded the implementation of the law. He disclosed that these campaigns aimed to inform road users about the updated regulations, associated penalties and the importance of compliance for their safety. He added that his department continues to carry out such awareness campaigns. Director of the Technical Department at the Traffic Affairs and Operations Sector Brigadier General Khaled Al-Adwani urged motorists to pay attention to road signage. He clarified that the posted speed limits are the primary criterion for issuing violation citations, with fines ranging from KD70 to KD150. He warned that exceeding the stipulated speed limit, even by a single kilometer per hour, is considered a violation.
In a statement to Al-Akhbar TV, Al- Adwani warned the public about the legal consequences of driving vehicles that make excessive noise, which is punishable by imprisonment. He added that reckless driving is subject to vehicle confiscation through a court order, indicating that parental oversight is vital to prevent minors from committing such infractions. Officer in the Central Control Unit at the General Traffic Department Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al-Qattan affirmed the decline in the number of traffic violations and accidents upon the implementation of the new law. He said the areas that previously experienced high rates of parking violations witnessed a reduction. He also told Al-Akhbar TV that prior to the enactment of the law; the ministry conducted multilingual awareness campaigns, which contributed to increased compliance among motorists.
By Munif Naif Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
