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A top official from the UK has praised the introduction of Bahrain’s new tough traffic regulations, issued by His Majesty King Hamad, stating that the kingdom has the potential to be a world leader in road safety.
British businessman Alan Donnelly, a former leading politician and chairman of Formula One stewards, authored legislation on road safety for the European Union, and has been a regular visitor to the kingdom for 25 years.
His most recent visit to the kingdom was for an official meeting with the Bahrain Economic Development Board.
Speaking to the GDN, the 68-year-old strongly endorsed the decree issued by His Majesty to improve driver behaviour and road safety.
“I was taken by the front page of the GDN on August 20 regarding the new traffic legislation, which I thought was very well done,” said Mr Donnelly.
“The issue of road safety is very important, because the biggest killer of people around the world between the ages of five and 29 is road accidents.
“I was really pleased that His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, decided to pass these new regulations.
“This makes Bahrain one of the leaders in the field of road safety globally.”
As part of the new rules, a person who has 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.
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.
Hailing from Jarrow in northeast England, Mr Donnelly was elected to the European Parliament in 1989, where he served for 11 years, including a two-year period as leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party.
Mr Donnelly with former German chancellor Angela Merkel
He was honoured with a knighthood from Germany in 1991 for his work on unification and is a patron of the Topsy Foundation that works with the effects of HIV/Aids in South Africa.
Mr Donnelly played an integral role in helping Bahrain get its first ever Formula One Grand Prix almost 25 years ago, and has been visiting regularly ever since, occasionally in an official capacity as the chairperson of the G20-G7 Health and Development Partnership.
It is a not-for-profit advocacy organisation which co-ordinates current and future health innovation strategies to tackle the growing global burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
He has a close relationship with the Bahraini ambassador to the UK Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and his team in London.
Mr Donnelly is also a big advocate for road safety, having worked closely with the World Health Organisation to support the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aims to reduce road traffic deaths and serious injuries by at least 50 per cent by 2030.
When it comes to the new legislation, he told the GDN that while it is a major step forward, society has to do its part to make the roads a safer place.
“It cannot just be left to the traffic police alone,” he said. “Responsibility falls on society as well.
“I would be very happy, either as part of the G20-G7 Health and Development Partnership or in a private capacity, to work with businesses and academia to raise awareness.
“Adhere to speed limits, use seat belts, make sure that children are in proper child seats, do not use your mobile phone while driving and avoid drinking and driving at all costs.
“Bahrainis have a responsibility to get behind these practices and support a culture change.”
World Health Organisation director-general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus with Mr Donnelly at the G20-G7 H20 summit
Mr Donnelly expressed his condolences towards the family of the victims of the recent Saar accident that claimed the lives of a mum and dad and one of their children 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 injuries they suffered. Their seven-year-old son, Abdulaziz, succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.
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.
“It is a tragic story of massive proportions,” said Mr Donelly. “People take access to driving for granted. The vast majority of people wear their seat belts and follow the rules, but all it takes is one idiot to destroy an entire family.
“This accident was a wakeup call for tougher action and zero tolerance. If you want to drive fast go to special events at the Bahrain International Circuit or go karting, don’t do it on the road.
“Just remember, even Formula One drivers wear their seat belts in their road vehicles.
“Nobody wants to be a victim of road accidents ... and nobody wants to have that knock on the door where a police officer tells them that their loved ones have perished in a crash.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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