Bahrain mulls plan to halve traffic fines

Dubai: A parliamentary proposal to halve traffic fines for late payers is headed to Bahrain’s Shura Council for a final vote this Sunday, amid growing debate over whether the measure would ease financial pressure or erode the deterrent value of the Kingdom’s traffic laws.

The amendment, passed by the elected chamber in February, would allow drivers to pay half the minimum fine amount if they accept reconciliation within 30 days of being notified of a violation.

Under current law, only those who pay within seven days are eligible for the reduced rate; afterward, they must pay the full penalty within the remainder of the 30-day reconciliation window.

The proposed change would eliminate that staggered system entirely, applying the reduced rate to the full reconciliation period.

Proponents say the move would ease financial burdens, reduce the number of minor cases reaching the courts, and offer a more practical route for violators to settle their fines without legal complications.

However, the proposal has met stiff resistance from both the General Directorate of Traffic and government representatives, who argue that it undermines the law’s intent.

The Shura Council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee, which reviewed the draft legislation, has formally recommended rejecting the amendment. In its report, the committee said the current tiered structure strikes an effective balance: it rewards prompt payment while preserving a sense of discipline on the roads.

The committee also emphasized that reconciliation is already allowed for certain offenses under Bahraini law, and that traffic authorities have discretion to settle many cases before they escalate to the Public Prosecution.

“The amendment,” the committee wrote, “would remove the incentive for early settlement and risk encouraging delay. This, in turn, could weaken the credibility of the penalty system.”

Though Bahrain is known for maintaining one of the more efficient traffic systems in the region, it continues to face challenges related to increased vehicle density, congestion, and reckless driving—particularly in urban areas. Critics of the proposed change argue that relaxing the penalty system does little to address these core issues.

If the Shura Council votes in line with the committee’s recommendation, the amendment will be shelved and the current law—with its time-sensitive incentives—will remain intact. However, if passed, it could reshape how traffic violations are processed and paid across the Kingdom.