Tougher penalties for reckless driving have been announced as part of a decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad, amending certain provisions of the Traffic Law issued under Law (23) of 2014.
Based on the proposal of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and following the approval of the Cabinet, yesterday’s decree-law mandates stricter penalties for traffic violations.
This includes fines, imprisonment and licence suspensions for violations such as speeding, running red lights and reckless or impaired driving.
It will come into effect the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.
According to the amendments, those who jump a red light shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and receive fines of between BD200 and BD1,000.
Those who fail to reduce speed while driving in populated areas or entering curves or intersections, especially when approaching schools, hospitals or houses of worship, face a fine of between BD50 and BD100.
If it results in an accident that causes damage to public or private property, the penalty increases to imprisonment of between three months and one year, and a fine of between BD1,000 and BD3,000.
A person who consumed alcohol or drugs while driving, especially if it causes them to lose control of the vehicle or impairs an ability to drive, will be punished with imprisonment of between two months and one year, and a fine of between BD1,000 and BD2,000.
Based on the severity of the violation, the driver may also have the driving licence suspended for a period not exceeding one year.
If a death was caused by running a red light, exceeding the speed limit or driving against the traffic, the offender faces imprisonment for a period of two to five years, and a fine between BD2,000 and BD6,000.
Death caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be punished with imprisonment of between two and seven years, and a fine between BD3,000 and BD10,000.
If combined with multiple violations, the penalty could potentially extend up to 10 years in prison.
In addition, the court may order vehicles involved in serious traffic accidents or dangerous behaviour to be impounded.
The GDN reported in June that the Cabinet said that penalties would be increased for severe traffic violations leading to injury or loss of life as well as for reckless driving, in a session chaired by HRH Prince Salman.
It was reviewing a memorandum by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa on this issue.
This came shortly after Bahraini parents and one of their children were killed in an horrific road accident in Saar on May 30 after a collision involving a driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Ahmed Al Orrayedh, 40, and his wife Fatema Al Qaidoom, 36, died in hospital as a result of the critical injuries they suffered. Their seven-year-old son, Abdulaziz, succumbed to his injuries two weeks later, on June 13.
The 29-year-old Bahraini driver of the other car involved was sentenced to nine years in prison following two separate trials – one on charges of manslaughter, reckless driving, property damage and speeding and the other for his recreational drug use.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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