Traffic violations plunge 83% in Kuwait after new law takes effect

Dubai: Kuwait has seen an 83 per cent drop in traffic violations following the enforcement of the new traffic law, the Ministry of Interior has announced.
Traffic violations recorded by surveillance cameras dropped by a staggering 83 per cent in May compared to the same month last year. Last week, 18,000 violations were recorded—down from 60,000 per week before the law took effect—showing a clear improvement in road user discipline.

According to the ministry, just 28,464 violations were registered in May 2025, down from 168,208 in May 2024. The violations included speeding and running red lights — two of the most common and dangerous traffic offences.

The tougher law also appears to have had a life-saving impact: fatalities from road accidents declined by 55 per cent year-on-year, with 10 deaths reported in May 2025 compared to 22 in May 2024.

Crucially, the ministry highlighted a 75 per cent drop in two high-risk violations — using mobile phones while driving and failure to wear seatbelts.

Only 22,574 such violations were recorded in May 2025, down sharply from 89,153 the previous year.

 The Ministry described the figures as a "clear and positive outcome" of the newly implemented law, which includes significantly increased fines and harsher penalties.

Some offences now carry fines of up to KD5,000, and serious repeat violations could land offenders in jail. Officials credited the decline to both stricter enforcement and a heightened public awareness campaign, signalling a turning point in the country’s efforts to reduce road accidents and improve traffic safety.