Bahraini legislators are calling for urgent legislative measures and societal endeavours to combat the alarming rise in reckless driving on the kingdom’s roads.
They are also concerned by social media posts and copycat behaviour by users appearing to be more interested in gaining followers that staying safe.
Senior MPs pointed out that despite the commendable efforts of Bahrain’s General Directorate of Traffic, the surge in incidents involving driving against the flow of traffic, sudden lane shifts, ignoring red signals, driving in emergency lanes, and random parking, has escalated into a widespread phenomenon.
“It is very clear that what we are witnessing is a collective behavioural trend, not merely sporadic violations,” said Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman MP Hassan Bukhammas.
“What started as foolish individual stunts is now threatening to spiral out of control with serious safety implications, especially as this behaviour appears to be spreading through viral content shared on social media platforms.”
Mr Bukhammas warned of the disturbing trend of individuals driving dangerously in pursuit of social media notoriety. “The disturbing trend of driving against traffic flow and violating rules has now shifted from one country to another,” he added.
“Locally, we will urgently meet the Interior Ministry in the next few days to look into the 2014 Traffic Law as directed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to come up with ways to control the situation.
“It is clear that jail terms and fines alone are not deterring offenders, or else traffic violators wouldn’t have become such trend-setters on social media.”
Referring to recent tragic incidents, including a devastating accident in Saar that killed a mother, father and child, and injured two other children as well as a case of motorist driving at speed up the wrong side of the road near King Fahad Causeway.
“Those stupid traffic kamikaze drivers don’t care about their lives. Honestly, we don’t care about them either – what matters is innocent people getting dragged into fatal accidents. This reckless behaviour is unacceptable.”
He also highlighted the role of modern media in exacerbating the issue. “There is a deadly social media trend on platforms and even video games in which rewards are given to offenders, and this needs to stop – it has to stop.”
Committee vice-chairman MP Hassan Ibrahim echoed these concerns, stating that reckless driving had become a societal phenomenon that requires a comprehensive national response. “We are observing a greater tendency among young people,” Mr Ibrahim said.
“This highlights the urgent need for targeted and intensive awareness programmes for this demographic, in partnership between the Education Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Youth Affairs Ministry.”
He explained that while strict penalties are necessary, they alone appear insufficient to curb such behaviour.
“Some young drivers exhibit aggressive behaviour behind the wheel as a reflection of personal frustrations, psychological stress, or chronic time mismanagement. “Addressing the behavioural aspect is key to resolving the issue.”
Mr Ibrahim has proposed several urgent measures both legislatively and socially, including:
– Updating the 2014 Traffic Law to introduce escalating penalties for repeat offenders.
– Linking violations to key privileges such as licence renewal and insurance.
– Introducing mandatory rehabilitation programmes for habitual offenders.
– Integrating road safety awareness into school curricula and media campaigns.
– Empowering communities to help organise parking in residential neighbourhoods.
– Creating secure digital platforms for citizens to report dangerous driving anonymously.
“Achieving road safety is a shared responsibility,” stressed Mr Ibrahim. “Legislation must evolve in line with social realities, but at the heart of the solution lies building a genuine culture of respect for the law and for each other on the road.
“Reckless driving is no longer a matter of isolated incidents or youthful mischief – it is a national concern demanding decisive, holistic action.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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