Legal action against 18 Bahrain drivers for traffic disruption attempt

Manama: Bahrain on Wednesday said that it would take legal action against 18 drivers for trying to hinder traffic in Manama. 

The cars of the drivers have been seized, the General Directorate of Traffic said on its Twitter account.

The action comes two days after the department warned that it would revoke the driving licences and impound the cars of drivers who would stall traffic in vital areas in Manama on Wednesday morning to put pressure on the government.

A call to blockade Manama through bringing traffic to a standstill was circulated on the Internet and social networks as part of a movement to coincide with the by-elections on Saturday.

Bahrainis are expected to cast their ballots to elect 14 lawmakers who along the four candidates who have been declared winners after their competitors pulled out of the race will replace the 18 MP from Al Wefaq society who resigned in February.

Al Wefaq and other opposition groups said that they would boycott the polls and supporters have pledged to convey their attitudes through a series of actions that included blockading Manama in the morning rush hour.

However, the traffic directorate said that the flow of vehicles along all roads in Manama was normal on Wednesday morning.

"The level of traffic jams on some vital roads was normal like other days and there was no disruption," Major Moosa Al Dossari, head of traffic awareness, said.

"Traffic patrols were present on vital roads from 5 am to ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the morning rush hours. The traffic was smooth in the different parts of the Kingdom," he said.