Manama: Kuwait has revoked its decision to impound for up to two months vehicles of drivers caught not wearing seat belts, holding cell phones or parking in no-parking zones.
Authorities last month started taking the stringent action against offending motorists in a bid to improve traffic conditions that have placed Kuwait high on the list of road-risk countries, despite regular better driving awareness campaigns.
However, while the action noticeably lowered the number of traffic violations, several lawmakers stood against it, claiming that it was too abrupt and that it should have been gradual.
Some MPs said there were suspicions the severe penalties were a breach of the constitution.
The ministry initially resisted pressure to revoke the decision and insisted it was not violating the provisions of the constitution, but on Sunday said it would suspend it and would set up a working team to coordinate with other authorities to review the traffic law.
Interior Minister Shaikh Khalid Al Jarrah, in a debate with lawmakers on Sunday, defended the ministry’s decision and told lawmakers it was based on the high number of accidents and deaths on Kuwait’s roads.
He added the overwhelming majority of accidents were caused by the drivers talking on mobile phones while driving, without using hands-free kits, or not wearing seat belts.
The minister said he did not want the rate of accidents to remain high during his tenure, Kuwaiti daily Al Rai reported on Monday.
He said the option of tackling traffic violations through stiffer penalties against drivers and increasing fine amounts needed the approval of the parliament and urged lawmakers to go through the new traffic law.
Sources told Al Rai that some penalties could be increased by 500 per cent in order to deter careless motorists.
