BAHRAIN is preparing to regulate self-driving cars under a new draft law, as senior Interior Ministry officials warned that urgent reforms were needed to reduce serious traffic violations and curb rising road fatalities.
Interior Ministry Under-Secretary for Legislative Affairs Rashid Bunajma told the Shura Council, during its weekly session yesterday, that a legislation package – including the first legal framework for autonomous vehicles – is nearly ready.
“We are introducing a new law for self-driving cars,” he said, referring to vehicles that use sensors, cameras, radar and artificial intelligence to perform all driving tasks.
Autonomous vehicles are capable of perceiving their surroundings, making decisions and controlling acceleration, braking and steering. While high levels of automation are already used in limited ride-hailing operations globally, fully autonomous Level Five cars remain under development.
The Shura Council yesterday unanimously approved Decree-Law 30 of 2025, amending the 2014 Traffic Law, following Parliament’s earlier unanimous approval.
The session was attended by Shura and Parliament Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain and Legal Affairs Minister and acting Labour Minister Yousif Khalaf.
Mr Bunajma
Mr Bunajma told legislators that the reforms were necessary following a “spiral of violations in which lives were lost”.
He noted that Bahrain has seen a decline in offences recently as drivers fear harsher penalties.
“We are activating the point system, establishing a new division within the General Directorate of Traffic with civilian officers and installing 500 new cameras in addition to the existing network,” he said.
A pilot phase will begin next month, with around 300 cameras set for installation in the first three months of 2026.
Regarding dash-cams, he clarified that they cannot be made mandatory.
“We can’t force the installation of dash cams as proposed by Parliament,” he said. “People may instal them voluntarily. They can be an indicator, but not evidence – while still respecting privacy and confidentiality.”
He said the amendments apply to both conventional and electric vehicles, and future legislation will address autonomous cars and how their accidents are handled.
Shura’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee rapporteur Ali Al Aradi said the decree-law aims to modernise traffic legislation “in line with Bahrain’s urban, economic, and population growth” as well as the expansion of road networks and the increasing number of vehicles.
Mr Al Aradi
He added that the amendments strengthen public deterrence by increasing fines and prison terms, targeting reckless behaviours such as speeding, driving against traffic, running red lights, using mobile phones while driving and driving under the influence.
Committee chairman Dr Ali Al Rumaihi stressed that the decree-law is ultimately about “protecting lives”.
Dr Al Rumaihi
He highlighted alarming statistics.
“Forty-eight per cent of Bahrain’s accidents are now severe. Since 2019, every week there has been a fatality – 300 deaths from 2,000 accidents. Today, we have around 400 serious accidents per year.”
He pointed to speeding, red-light violations, mobile phone use and motorcycle delivery drivers as major contributors. Over two years, traffic police recorded 6,000 violations by delivery motorcyclists, resulting in 11 deaths.
Ms Al Fadhel and Mr Fakhro during yesterday’s session
Council second vice-chairman Dr Jihad Al Fadhel said the amendments target deadly behaviours that have harmed “innocent road users and families”.
She recalled a recent tragedy in which a family lost both parents and a child.
“We need clear data showing the positive impact of this law. Our goal is zero fatal accidents,” she said.
Dr Al Fadhel proposed that offenders eligible for alternative sentencing be assigned to work in departments treating road-accident victims “to strengthen ethical deterrence”.
Shura first vice-chairman Jamal Fakhro praised the Interior Ministry for its rapid response.
“What we have seen in recent months is not typical of Bahraini society,” he said. He also commended the “reasonable and not exaggerated” fines, urging all ministries to regularly review laws to keep pace with societal changes.
The Shura Council referred the decree-law to Parliament Speaker to notify the government.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))