- MOI reaffirms deportation of expatriates for serious traffic and public-order violations
- Mobile phone use while driving, illegal parking and speeding among most common traffic offences
Kuwait recorded 1,118,644 traffic violations between April and August 2026, with speeding, illegal parking and driving without a valid licence or permit accounting for the largest numbers, according to statistics released by the General Directorate of Traffic.
Speeding topped the list with 415,806 violations, followed by illegal parking with 267,584 cases. Driving without a valid driving licence or permit accounted for 129,287 violations, while 94,945 cases involved using a mobile phone while driving and 82,607 involved failure to wear a seatbelt.
The statistics also recorded 33,052 violations for running red lights, 24,853 for driving without insurance and 21,204 for illegal window tinting. Other offences included 6,983 cases of failing to follow lane markings, 5,776 for driving on the road shoulder, 5,070 pedestrian violations and 4,989 cases of inattentive driving.
Further violations included 4,587 cases of driving against traffic, 4,072 involving vehicles displaying only one licence plate, 3,769 permit-related violations and 2,970 cases of driving without a licence. Authorities also recorded 1,900 violations involving vehicle safety and roadworthiness, alongside 1,653 cases of reckless, negligent or careless driving.
The figures included 1,559 violations related to transportation regulations and 1,450 cases of drivers failing to carry their driving licences or permits. A further 273 violations involved driving without licence plates, while 62 involved the use of non-traffic licence plates.
Among other offences, authorities recorded 1,394 cases of parking in spaces designated for people with disabilities, 877 violations of truck traffic-hour restrictions, 702 motorcycle-related violations, 397 public-decency violations and 388 cases of using private vehicles to transport passengers for payment. The statistics also listed 160 additional motorcycle traffic violations, 131 cases of racing without a permit, 113 violations involving damaged licences, permits or plates, and 31 cases of children sitting in the front seat.
Deportation warning for expatriate offenders
A security source reaffirmed that expatriates who commit specified violations may face administrative deportation. These include transporting passengers for hire, parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities, reckless driving, unauthorised racing, violations of public decency and exceeding speeds of 150 kilometres per hour.
The source said the figures reflected the General Directorate of Traffic’s role in regulating road movement, monitoring violations and enforcing traffic laws, alongside awareness campaigns aimed at promoting responsible driving.
The source also stressed that observing speed limits, avoiding mobile phone use while driving, wearing seatbelts and complying with traffic signals and road signs are essential practices for protecting lives and reducing accidents.