284 people killed in road crashes in Kuwait in 2024

Cairo: Traffic accidents in Kuwait, a country of 4.9 million people, resulted in 284 deaths last year, compared to 296 in 2023, a senior security official has said.

Smart cameras monitoring seat belt usage and mobile phone use while driving recorded 18,778 violations, including 4,944 instances of using a phone, in just 15 days last month, said Lt. Col. Abdullah Bu Hassan, the Assistant Director of Traffic Awareness at the General Traffic Department.

"The new cameras monitor seat belt violations committed by the driver and the front-seat passenger, and the violation is recorded against the car owner," he explained, referring to the recently installed AI-operated cameras that automatically detect road rule infringements.

This year, Kuwait is set to implement a new traffic law aimed at curbing reckless driving and enhancing road safety. The law introduces stringent penalties and hefty fines, replacing a traffic law that has been in effect since 1976.

Under the new law, expected to take effect in March, the fine for using a mobile phone while driving will increase from KD5 ($16.20) to KD75, while the penalty for not wearing a seat belt will triple to KD30. The fine for reckless driving will rise significantly from KD30 to KD150.

Additionally, running a red light will be reclassified from a misdemeanor to a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of KD1,000.

Officials have repeatedly emphasised that the new traffic law is essential to reducing serious violations, as traffic accidents are considered the second leading cause of death in Kuwait, after heart disease.