Manama: Following the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to strengthen penalties for traffic violations and accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities, the Ministry of Interior has initiated strict legal measures under the Traffic Law and its executive regulations to protect lives and property and enforce the law.
According to Bahrain News Agency, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Traffic Council, issued instructions to form a working team to review the Traffic Law and draft amendments in coordination with relevant entities and committees. The aim is to update and strengthen legislative systems related to traffic, ensure road safety, and promote law compliance on public roads.
Rashid Mohammed Bounajma, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Legislative Affairs, said the Minister had instructed the team to consider HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s directives as a firm mandate to act decisively and swiftly in reviewing and reinforcing the legislation, as stricter penalties can significantly reduce traffic accidents by holding violators of traffic laws accountable. These penalties are intended solely to protect lives and property.
He explained that the proposed amendments raise both minimum and maximum penalties for all traffic violations. This includes increases in reconciliation fees, fines, and custodial penalties, to serve as effective deterrents to violators.
Penalties will be further intensified if traffic accidents result in injuries or fatalities, particularly when associated with severe violations such as running red lights, exceeding speed limits, crossing the yellow line (using the emergency lane to overtake), driving against traffic, reckless driving, or driving while intoxicated. These behaviours are deemed aggravating factors when linked to serious incidents.
Among the new penalties, the revised law includes the confiscation of vehicles involved in accidents causing injuries or fatalities or vehicles used in dangerous traffic behaviours.
Undersecretary Bounajma emphasised that tightening the Traffic Law will help correct road users’ behaviour, deter violations, and reduce dangerous conduct that leads to serious accidents.
He also highlighted the importance of traffic awareness in promoting road safety, emphasising the need to educate the public on key provisions of the Traffic Law, proper road use, and safe driving etiquette to help prevent dangerous behaviours that increase the risk of accidents.
He noted that the launch of awareness campaigns targeting all road users and drivers will coincide with the introduction of the new legislative amendments. He added that the General Directorate of Traffic employs innovative methods to raise awareness of the dangers of violating traffic regulations.