Kuwait to Impound Noisy Cars and Curb Reckless Driving

Kuwait is cracking down on noise pollution and reckless driving with a new traffic law. The Interior Ministry recently warned motorists that vehicles causing disturbing noise will be impounded for up to 60 days. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve road safety and curb the increasing number of traffic accidents.

According to the ministry, any vehicle that fails to meet security and durability standards or emits disruptive noise will face temporary impounding. The driver will also face legal action. This move is aimed at addressing the issue of road safety, which remains a serious concern in Kuwait.

Kuwait, with a population of 4.9 million, experiences between 200 and 300 traffic accidents daily, leading to 28 to 30 injuries. The majority of accidents—around 90%—are due to driver inattention. Sadly, traffic-related fatalities continue to be a major issue, with 284 deaths recorded last year, a slight decrease from 296 in 2023. Tragically, 11 of these fatalities were children under 14.

The country is also preparing to enforce a new traffic law in April, replacing the 1976 law. This updated law includes significantly tougher penalties, with higher fines for common violations. For example, the fine for using a mobile phone while driving will increase from KD5 ($16.2) to KD75, and the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt will rise from KD10 to KD30. Reckless driving fines will jump from KD30 to KD150.

Perhaps the most significant change is the harsher penalty for running a red light, which will now be considered a felony. Offenders could face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to KD1,000.

With these stringent measures, Kuwait aims to reduce traffic violations and improve road safety. The new law is expected to make a significant impact, as traffic accidents are the second-leading cause of death in the country after heart disease. By addressing issues like noisy vehicles and reckless driving, Kuwait hopes to save lives and reduce the strain on its healthcare system.