KUWAIT CITY, March 8: The General Traffic Department (GTD) affiliated to the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has disclosed that a study to revise a number of articles of the traffic law has been completed according to which penalties will be stiffened to deal with serious traffic violations, one of which included use of parking spaces allotted for the physically handicapped motorists by unauthorized people.

However, the concerned officials have yet to specify the fines which will be included in the new law which is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

The officials have asserted the proposed penalties commensurate with the impact and gravity of the violation. They say people caught parking in places reserved for the disabled people can end up paying KD 100 and others may reach KD 500.

This was disclosed on Monday, March 7, 2011 during a press conference which was held to announce the Unified Gulf Traffic Week - from March 13 to March 18, 2011 — in cooperation with the GCC states.
However, there is no intention to withdraw the licenses given to expatriates even when they leave their jobs which allows them to retain the licenses in accordance with the Ministerial resolution.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director-General for Traffic Regulation and Licenses Brigadier Ehsan Al-Owaish said some people think referring law violators to the court may end up paying less money in fines, but they risk being sent to prison.

Al-Owaish added the traffic department has the right to withdraw licenses for three months of motorist who drive under the influence of alcohol.

Brigadier Saleh Al-Najem, Assistant Director-General for Planning and Research, said driving licenses can be withdrawn for four months of persons who commit two grave violations in the first year of obtaining the license and they may even have to apply for a new license.

Al-Najem also said the drivers of roaming taxis shall have to wear a special uniform which will be decided by the GTD at a later date.

Director of Coordination and Follow-up and Chairman of the Organizing Committed of the GCC Traffic Week Brigadier Nasser Al-Enezi said KD 4 million has been collected in the form of traffic fines during 2010.
However, he disclosed the death rate as a result of accidents has decreased but did not provide figures.