KUWAIT: A total of 35,695 accidents took place during the first half of 2016, resulting in 305 deaths, a senior Interior Ministry official said yesterday. However, these statistics show shows a three percent decrease  in fatalities compared to 314 recorded during the first nine months of 2015, Relations And Security Media Director Brigadier Adel Al-Hashash said, attributing this drop to "awareness efforts and campaigns."

Hashash made his statements at the sidelines of a special ceremony organized by the Nowair Al-Kuwait initiative under auspices of Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah. Indicating that kindness is at the base of the civilized world's values, Hashash stressed that the initiative aims at spreading awareness regarding the importance of civilized manners on roads such as giving way, as well as following and respecting traffic laws and safety regulations through using signals, leaving enough space ahead and dealing with other motorists with a smile.

Hashash added that all state departments are mainly concerned with finding suitable solutions to the violence phenomena among youth in various venues such as schools, within families or at various markets and shopping malls.  In addition, Hashash urged all motorists to respect speed limits, avoid driving through red traffic lights, leave enough space, fasten seat belts, have kids seated in backseats and abstain from using mobile phones while driving.