A BUS driver, whose allegedly reckless behaviour caused the death of two men and injury to three other people on Saturday morning, has been provisionally detained by the Public Prosecution.
According to the Traffic Prosecution and the General Directorate of Traffic, the driver committed a dangerous and unlawful overtaking manoeuvre in Hafeera, violating traffic safety regulations on a two-way road.
This reportedly led to a collision with a truck that was travelling in its designated correct lane, leading to the death of two Ugandan men – Julius Muhwezi and Isaac (only one name provided), both in their 30s.
Three other people were reportedly injured, but their condition is currently unknown.
According to reports from Uganda, both men worked for the same security firm and lived together in the same labour accommodation.
They had both been in Bahrain for four years at the time of the accident, and were set to return to their home country in November for a break.
Upon receiving the report of the accident, the Public Prosecution immediately launched an investigation, interrogated the suspect, confronted him with the evidence against him, and ordered him into pretrial detention.
The prosecution authorised the release of the victim’s bodies to their families, and legal processes are underway to refer the suspect for criminal trial.
The GDN reported previously that vehicles involved in serious traffic accidents or dangerous behaviour may now be confiscated under tougher new penalties introduced by the Interior Ministry.
This comes as part of sweeping reforms to Bahrain’s Traffic Law and aims to deter reckless driving and enhance road safety by enforcing stricter consequences for life-threatening behaviour behind the wheel.
The new measures are being implemented as part of directives by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to tighten penalties related to traffic violations and accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
They come after, on May 30 in Saar, a man, later confirmed to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol, suddenly veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle in which a man, his wife and three children were travelling.
The 40-year-old father, Ahmed Al Orrayedh, and his wife Fatema Al Qaidoom, aged 36, died in hospital due to their critical injuries, while their young seven-year-old son Abdulaziz succumbed to his wounds two weeks later, on June 13.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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