Traffic violations on rise, parking problems need solutions

Al Watan

Traffic violations in Kuwait are currently on the rise according to the Ministry of Interiors (MOI). Based from its report for the month of May, the ministry stated that it issued 7,696 traffic violations, seized 587 vehicles and referred 18 violators to the reservation traffic department. However, citizens urge local authorities to practice leniency on parking within public roads on late nights.

MOI reported that 1,869 traffic violations were issued in the capital governorate and 240 vehicles seized, while in Farwaniya 945 violations were recorded and 40 vehicles seized. In Hawally, 2053 violations were issued and 68 vehicles seized as the number of the violations in Ahmadi reached to 831 and 15 vehicles seized. In Mubarak Al-Kabeer, 61 violations have been registered a vehicle was seized on the weekend, while in Jahra 648 violations were recorded and 52 vehicles impounded. Majority of these violations which were committed frequently are the "No Parking" violations.

However, motorists urge authorities to practice leniency on the use of public roads during late nights since parking for allocated vehicles on rented apartment buildings remains an unresolved problem. Building owner Abdullah Ahmad told Al Watan Daily that each flat rented allocates one parking space yet such is inadequate since each flat houses three to five car owners causing congestion and lack of parking spaces for other tenants. Such problem forces other tenants to either use empty spots or illegally park vehicles along road areas. "I have been issued two tickets for parking my car along the road, but I had no choice there are no available spots to park my car. Authorities should allow parking on residential streets on late nights and responsibly motorist should park their vehicles appropriately when spaces are available," commented flight attendant Jamil Al-Jazairi.

As for salon owner Mariam Mahmoud objected to allowing cars parked on residential areas since it narrows passages for other vehicles and in several incidences block other cars in addition to accidents caused by such cars parked on dead spots blinding motorists from incoming vehicles. "There will never be any solution to this problem unless building owners take full control on limiting cars utilized by their tenants or allocate enough space within the perimeters of their buildings," commented Mahmoud.
The lack of parking spots within residential areas gave rise to building care takers to generate income by allowing vehicles from other buildings to use car parks for a fee. These building caretakers mostly Egyptians also provide daily car wash and require extra fee for garbage collection from tenants. Ahmad stressed that such acts are illegal and tenants must inform the building owners or report such incidences to local authorities. "These practices deprive tenants of their rights and privileges and should be stopped immediately," stated Ahmad.

"Motorists need to understand that adhering to traffic laws is a must that include ethics and be watchful on signage for such will protect them from facing accidents, destroying public and private properties, loss of lives and maintaining clean traffic records," commented an MOI official. i cheat on my girlf