Kuwait’s new traffic law will restrict expats to one vehicle

Published: 27 October 2024

NT Bureau
Dubai

Kuwait is set to introduce sweeping changes to its traffic regulations, including heavy fines and re-strictions on vehicle ownership for expatriates, in an effort to curb reckless driving and reduce fatal accidents, Gulf News reports.

A major provision of the new law will limit expatriates to owning just one vehicle, with specific guide-lines to be issued by the Ministry of Interior, the report adds.

This restriction is part of an initiative to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety in the coun-try, where 2.5 million vehicles are currently registered.

The new draft law is currently under review and awaiting final approval from the Amir H H Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

Under the proposed legislation, traffic fines will see dramatic increases across the board. The fine for using a cellphone while driving will surge from KD 5 ($16.3) to KD 75 ($244.7), while the penalty for reckless driving will rise from KD 30 ($97.9) to KD 150 ($489.5).

Speeding fines will jump to a range of KD 70 to KD 150, up from the current KD 20 to KD 50. Additional-ly, the fine for racing on public roads will also increase to KD 150.

Parking in spaces designated for people with disabilities, which currently carries a fine of KD 10, will now cost violators KD 150.