Dubai: Traffic authorities in Bahrain on Monday announced strict new measures to regulate the use of quad bikes following the death of two Bahrainis on Sunday, according to Gulf Daily News.
Mohammad Adel Ilyasi, 19 and Laila Hassan Al Kalibi, 27, died on Sunday when their quad bike collided with a car in Sakhir, a popular camping area. The car is a Saudi-registered one driven by a 54-year-old Briton, who is in custody for further investigation.
An urgent study is being carried out by the authorities concerned, in cooperation with the Southern Governorate, which will present recommendations for the new rules.
The study is expected to be completed by next week to ensure strict regulations are in place for quad bikes, especially during the camping season.
"All quad bikes must be registered at the General Directorate of Traffic, according to the new rules," the Southern Governorates services and research head Mohammed Bin Ebrahim Al Sisi, told the newspaper, adding that once the recommendations are implemented, quad bikes would only be used during the daytime before sunset and only quad bikes registered with the traffic will be allowed in Sakhir during the camping season.
Quad bikes of different horse powers will also be registered in the names of owners based on their age group, "For example, a 12-year-old would be allowed to drive a 100cc quad bike," explained Ebrahim Al Sisi.
The authorities concerned were making all efforts to complete the study following directions from Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, and patrols had been stepped up in Sakhir since Monday, with police deployed in key areas to assist campers, Al Sisi added.
"We have over 2,300 registered campers and their safety is our top priority," he said.
