Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has issued a firm warning to all motorists: using a mobile phone while driving will result in a KD 75 settlement fine under the country’s new traffic law. This penalty marks a significant shift in how authorities are addressing distracted driving on Kuwaiti roads.
The danger of phone use behind the wheel extends far beyond making calls. A driver glancing down to read a message, check a notification, change a song, or respond to WhatsApp can lose precious seconds of awareness. In those seconds, a vehicle travels a considerable distance. A pedestrian could step onto the road. The car ahead could brake suddenly. Traffic could come to a complete stop. By the time a driver looks up, it may already be too late, which is why the Ministry of Interior treats distracted driving as a serious road-safety concern rather than a minor traffic offence.
Mobile phones have become deeply integrated into daily life, but this convenience has created a dangerous habit on the roads. For many drivers, checking their phone while driving has become almost instinctive, particularly when a notification appears. The new law is designed to break this habit.
Authorities have also warned that using a mobile phone at traffic lights constitutes a violation under the stricter traffic rules. While a vehicle may be stationary at a red light, the moment the light changes, drivers need to be alert. Looking at a screen diverts attention from surrounding traffic and pedestrians, creating unnecessary risk.
The KD 75 penalty is part of Kuwait’s broader move towards significantly tougher enforcement of traffic regulations. The revised system increases penalties for various violations and emphasizes dangerous driving practices. Traffic rules are no longer being treated as minor inconveniences, and motorists are expected to understand the consequences of their behaviour and take greater responsibility for everyone sharing the road.
However, the fine itself is not the most important consideration. The real cost of distracted driving cannot be measured in dinars. A fine can be paid and a vehicle can be repaired, but injuries, disabilities, and loss of life cannot be reversed. One careless decision, one glance at a phone, one moment of lost concentration can permanently change several lives.
The Ministry’s recommendation is straightforward: before starting your journey, set navigation, choose your music, and put your phone somewhere it cannot become a distraction. If an important call or message arrives, wait until reaching a safe and legal stopping place. The safest solution is also the easiest.
Source: Times of Kuwait
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