KUWAIT CITY, June 2: The Traffic Misdemeanor Court has handed down a series of rulings against motorists who violated traffic regulations by parking in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities, reinforcing legal protections for this vulnerable group.

In one notable case, the court sentenced a Kuwaiti citizen to one month in prison and suspended his driving license for the same duration after he was found guilty of parking in a designated disabled parking space without authorization. Although the violation was not repeated, the court applied the stricter provisions of the Disability Law rather than the recently amended Traffic Law, as the offense occurred prior to the new law’s enactment on April 22.

Legal sources clarified that Article 63 of Law No. 8 of 2010 concerning the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stipulates a penalty of up to one month in prison or a fine of up to KD 100—or both—for unauthorized use of disabled parking spaces.

By contrast, Article 33 bis of the updated Traffic Law introduces much harsher penalties, including imprisonment for one to three years and fines ranging from KD 600 to KD 1,000, depending on the severity of the offense. These penalties are applicable without prejudice to stricter penalties outlined in other laws.

The rulings reflect a broader judicial commitment to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and deter misuse of facilities designated for their benefit.