Expats and residents of Kuwait are unhappy about plans to increase traffic fines by as much as 100 per cent.
The Ministry of Interior’s decision to double the amount of fines charged for traffic violations is causing major discontent in the expat community, with even Kuwaiti citizens asking their MPs to confront the Ministry’s officials. Many are wondering whether the sharp increase is simply one way of raking in more cash to offset falling oil revenues.
Locals are vociferous about the increases, saying that those on basic salaries will be hit hard, and are pointing out that the deterrent effect of high fines for traffic violations goes against the fall in traffic accidents over the past year. Complaints are also being made about the heavy traffic congestion and poor state of many of the emirate’s roads, both of which are recognised as causing many accidents and traffic law violations.
Citizens and expat alike are calling for road-widening schemes and traffic calming measures before swinging increases in fines are put in place. Most are concerned about the effect of the increases on the already high cost of living in the city, with some pointing out that traffic violation fines are already the highest in any Gulf country.
