KUWAIT: Dangerous driving habits are widespread on Kuwait’s roads with speeding and phone use - the most common violations, which in turn demand urgent attention, raising awareness and enforcing laws and regulations to ensure public safety. Accidents resulting from others’ mistakes or unexpected road incidents occur almost daily, often leading to causalities, injuries, and financial losses, frequently caused by reckless behavior, violations, or carelessness.

In response, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is making efforts to tackle these challenges through strict traffic laws. With advanced technologies, the government aims to establish a better traffic system and minimize injuries and damages. Statistics from the Ministry of Interior showed that, between January 1 and June 30, 2024, the total number of speeding violations in Kuwait’s six governorates exceeded 1.5 million, with 9,472 distracted-driving violations. The report, issued by the Ministry’s Traffic Planning and Research Department, revealed that more than

93 percent of traffic accidents during this period were caused by distracting driving, while 7 percent were due to other factors, totaling 3,100,638 violations recorded in the first half of 2024. Director of Traffic Awareness Department Colonel Fahad Al-Issa told KUNA that one of the main causes of distraction while diving is the use of a phone. He confirmed that in the first half of 2024, there were over 30,000 violations for phone use while driving.

Artificial intelligence (AI) cameras have been installed to monitor seatbelt use and phone use while driving; there are currently 252 of these cameras spread across the six governorates, aimed at checking traffic violations and ensuring the safety of both citizens and residents, Colonel Al-Issa added. He stressed the importance of wearing seatbelts, avoiding speeding, and using phones while driving.

He also urged drivers to ensure that children are seated in the back for their safety and maintain safety distance to prevent collisions during sudden stops.

On his part, Assistant Director of the Traffic Awareness Department Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Bo Hassan told KUNA that the department has intensified traffic safety campaigns across various media outlets, including television, radio, print, and social media platforms, to raise awareness on this issue. The new AI cameras are aimed at enhancing road safety by effectively detecting violations and ensuring compliance with traffic laws, he added.

Lieutenant Colonel Bo Hassan emphasized the importance of raising a strong traffic safety culture among drivers, adhering to traffic rules, wearing seatbelts, and avoiding phone use while driving to safeguard themselves and other road users. Director of the Medical Emergency Department at the Ministry of Health, Dr Ahmad Al-Shatti, stated to KUNA that between January 1 and September 30, ambulance services transported 7,774 accidents. Dr Al-Shatti called on the public to follow traffic regulations, avoid using phones while driving, and stay alert so as to protect lives and property. – KUNA