KUWAIT CITY, July 9: The Deportation and Detention Department at the Correctional Institutions Sector in the Interior Ministry has completed the deportation procedures for around 6,300 expatriates in May and June 2025. This is part of the ongoing efforts of the department to expedite the deportation of expatriate violators to their home countries. Sources affirmed that the department continues to work hard to deport expatriates referred by various sectors in the ministry for violating the Residency and Labor laws, some of whom are subject to judicial rulings. Sources said the department remains committed to speeding up the completion of deportation procedures, while providing humanitarian support and meeting all other needs of violators during their temporary detention until the procedures are completed.

Sources added the field sectors in the ministry refer violators of the Residency and Labor laws, who are arrested in the ongoing security campaigns throughout the country, including illegal workers. In other news, since the implementation of the new traffic law on April 22 -- about three months ago-- areas once frequented by reckless drivers, such as Kabad, Wafra, Abdally and Subiya roads, are now empty of such drivers. These areas, which used to be venues for nighttime gatherings for car races promoted on social media, are now largely deserted, marking a new era of road safety.

The law introduced sweeping changes, including increased fines, tougher penalties, and stricter enforcement. These measures have led to a visible shift in driving behavior, particularly among reckless drivers. Previously, some of the abovementioned areas hosted illegal, high-risk races that resulted in fatal accidents (both among drivers and spectators), often under the cover of darkness and away from law enforcement. Under the new regulations, penalties for reckless or negligent driving and racing have significantly increased.

Offenders now face fines of up to KD150 for minor violations upon settlement; and in severe cases, imprisonment of one to three years and fines ranging from KD 600 to 1,000 or any of these two penalties. Individuals who film themselves committing traffic offenses like reckless or negligent driving now face fines ranging from KD1,000 to KD2,000. The Ministry of Interior reported a substantial drop in traffic violations and accidents since the law took effect. According to the General Traffic Department, traffic camera data showed 28,464 violations recorded in May 2025; compared to 168,208 in May 2024 -- 83 percent decrease. These violations included speeding and running a red light. Violations related to not wearing seatbelts or using mobile phones while driving dropped by 75 percent -- 22,574 violations recorded in the first month of implementing the new law compared to 89,153 in the previous month. The most important development is that traffic-related deaths fell by 55 percent; with only 10 fatalities reported in May 2025, compared to 22 in the same month of the previous year.

By Munif Naif
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff