KUWAIT CITY, June 10: Assistant Director of the Traffic Awareness Unit at the General Traffic Department in the Interior Ministry Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Bu Hassan confirmed a 75 percent decrease in mobile phone use and seatbelt use violations in May 2025 compared to May 2024; while the number of fatalities during the same period decreased by 55 percent and the number of speeding and red light violations decreased by 83 percent. In a televised interview, Bu Hassan stressed that the goal of the amended Traffic Law is to protect the lives of road users, indicating that a decrease in traffic violations means a decrease in accidents. He pointed out that adhering to the Traffic Law and not being distracted by using a mobile phone while driving contributes significantly to a decrease in traffic accidents, as the causes of accidents include mobile phone use while driving, running a red light, and speeding.

On drinking water or smoking while driving, Bu Hassan clarified, “There is no traffic violation for drinking water or smoking while driving unless it distracts the driver from the road.” He pointed out that drinking water, for example, does not result in a traffic violation as long as the driver is attentive while driving.

However, if the driver is distracted from the road, fails to pay attention, and puts his life and the lives of others in danger, this falls under the scope of the traffic violation, he added. “For example, if a cigarette falls inside the vehicle while driving, this will cause confusion for the driver and lead to distraction from the road, which will impact his driving and lead to inattention; thereby, putting his life and the lives of others in danger,” he elaborated. On driving at a higher or lower speed than the specified limit, he said “drivers must adhere to the specified speed limit -- whether the maximum or minimum.

If traffic is flowing smoothly and the driver is traveling below the specified speed limit, a ticket will be issued to him for failure to adhere to the speed limit, which results in obstructing traffic.

For instance, if the speed limit is between 80 and 120 kilometers per hour and the driver is driving at 60 kilometers per hour, a ticket will be issued to him. Nevertheless, if the road is congested, a ticket will not be issued, because he is compelled to do so.” He urged drivers to ensure the safety of their vehicles, especially during summer, to avoid sudden breakdowns that could lead to traffic accidents. He stated that in the event of a vehicle breakdown, drivers should stop on the emergency lane, turn on the flasher, and take the necessary steps to remove the vehicle as quickly as possible.

By Munif Naif
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff