Kuwait’s New Traffic Law: Offenders To Be Given Community Service As Alternate Penalty

Kuwait has announced a new traffic law that introduces community service as an alternative penalty. Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Subhan, Chairman of the Unified Traffic Week Committee for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, has confirmed that the newly approved Traffic Law No. 5/2025 introduces alternative penalties as a key amendment. These penalties can replace the original sanctions at the discretion of the judiciary, according to Arab Times.

Among the amendments is the provision for alternative penalties, giving judges the discretion to impose community service tailored to the violator's profession and qualifications in place of traditional sanctions. This community service can extend up to one year, demanding eight hours of work daily without pay.

Furthermore, violators causing damage to public funds due to serious infractions must bear the costs of repair themselves. The judiciary also has the power to merge various service penalties, which become effective immediately upon the court's decision.

In efforts to regulate vehicle ownership, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, is set to issue a pivotal regulatory decision before the new traffic law becomes active on April 22. This decision will cap the number of vehicles that can be owned by citizens and residents.

The new traffic law, with its sterner fines and innovative enforcement mechanisms, aims to address the concerning trend of road accidents and fatalities witnessed in recent years. In 2024 alone, Kuwait experienced a staggering number of traffic accidents, with daily occurrences ranging between 200 and 300, leading to numerous injuries and fatalities, including children.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in traffic law enforcement has reached an impressive accuracy rate of 99%, according to Al-Subhan. AI-powered cameras meticulously document infractions like seatbelt neglect, mobile phone use while driving, speeding, and improperly seating children in the front seat.

These violations are then vetted by human personnel to ensure accuracy, with notifications sent to offenders within 48 to 72 hours. Al-Subhan further mentioned that anyone can report a violation through the Ministry of Interior's "Sahl" application or by visiting the Violations Investigation Department, where complaints are diligently reviewed, and wrongful violations may be revoked if the complainant's rights are affirmed.

In addition to these technological enhancements, law enforcement patrols are now equipped with cameras to validate claims of wrongful violations, safeguarding the rights of both enforcers and the accused.

Acknowledging the persistent issue of traffic congestion, Al-Subhan pointed to ongoing infrastructure improvements, such as road expansions and the construction of bridges, aimed at alleviating traffic flow. However, he emphasised the crucial role of personal traffic behavior, including the problematic practices of crossing road lines and obstructing traffic, in contributing to congestion.

Despite these challenges, Kuwait's commitment to traffic regulation is longstanding, with legislative efforts dating back to 1930 and continuously evolving to meet the changing dynamics of road use and safety.

The structure of fines under the new traffic law has been a subject of discussion, with Al-Subhan clarifying that Kuwait's fines are moderate in comparison to other GCC countries, where penalties are more severe.

The determination of fines followed extensive studies and consultations with the judiciary, the Fatwa and Legislation Authority, and the Public Prosecution to ensure they serve as effective deterrents against reckless driving and serious infractions, such as running red lights, which pose significant risks to public safety.

Regarding vehicle impoundment, the concept of "spatial impoundment" has been introduced, where a tracking device is attached to the vehicle, allowing for its movement to be restricted without physically relocating it to an impoundment facility. This system incurs fees based on the nature of the violation, and penalties are enforced if the spatial impoundment terms are breached, including fines for damaging or losing the tracking device.

In addressing the accountability for traffic violations, Al-Subhan stated that vehicle owners bear responsibility for infractions committed using their vehicles, emphasising the importance of identifying the actual driver in disputes over fines. He recounted an instance where a woman faced a hefty fine due to violations incurred by her son's friends, who had used her vehicle without her consent.

Reiterating the criticality of seat belt usage, Al-Subhan noted increased compliance among drivers and front-seat passengers since the law's enactment, highlighting the relatively rare instances of non-adherence observed by patrols and control rooms.