Statistics ringing alarm bell over hike in number of traffic accidents

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GTD officers deal with 68,000 reports from Jan 1-May 21; 176 people die

KUWAIT CITY, May 22: Despite the continuous efforts exerted by General Traffic Department (GTD) to carry out media campaigns to spread traffic awareness to road users for their safety and the safety of others, official statistics are ringing the alarm bell over the increase in the number of traffic accidents in the country along with increase in human and material losses resulting from the war of the street since the beginning of the year, reports Al- Qabas daily quoting security sources.

They insisted that such a situation should be considered as an urgent matter that needs to be looked into immediately for finding and applying necessary solutions. The sources affirmed that the statistics issued by the GTD’s Information and Statistics Department indicate that traffic officers dealt with 68,000 reports this year until Sunday, May 21.

According to the statistics, the country has witnessed 38,000 traffic accidents which resulted in the death of 176 citizens and expatriates and injuries to 3,840 others. About 101 expatriates have been deported for driving without a valid license and 230 vehicles that were wanted by several security departments were seized. About 4,937 vehicles were impounded and referred to the garage for seized vehicles while 31,000 number plates were withdrawn.

The statistics also revealed that the number of direct and indirect traffic violations registered until Sunday, May 21 reached 666,000, including parking in places designated for people with special needs. Meanwhile, the General Traffic Department has started imposing penalty of referring reckless drivers, illegal racers and stunt performers to the Traffic Court after seizing the violating vehicle and impounding it in the garage for two full months.

Based on the instructions of Undersecretary of Ministry of Interior Major General Mahmoud Al-Dousari, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Major General Fahad Al-Shuwa’i issued a circular to the directors and heads of departments, demanding not to dispose or close the files of those who perform stunts and race on the roads until the matter has been resolved by the Traffic Court.

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