KUWAIT: Traffic police issued up to 3.4 million citations between January 1 and the end of November 2022, while 170 people died in accidents during the same period, according to statistics released by the ministry of interior. Ninety-two percent of traffic accidents in the six governorates were attributed to distraction during driving and eight percent were related to a host of other causes. Total number of accidents linked to lack of focus reached 4,594.

The Capital governorate recorded the highest rate of accidents with 1,262 incidents, Hawally with 1,015, Farwaniya governorate with 669, Jahra with 468 accidents, Ahmadi with 730 and Mubarak Al-Kabeer with 450. Number of deaths during the same period reached 170 - 152 males and 18 females. The highest proportion of deaths was in Jahra with 52 (31 percent), and the lowest in Hawally with 10 deaths, six percent of total fatalities. Ages of the deceased adults ranged between 31 and 40, and the lowest age ranged between a month and 10 years.

Maj Gen Mohammad Al-Otaibi, director general of the penalties division, told KUNA that violations are either registered directly by the traffic police or via cameras, affirming that cameras are installed on all main roads and at various public locations. Most of the accidents happen due to use of mobile phones, he said, advising motorists to keep their vehicle reasonably apart from those ahead. He stressed on the necessity of using seatbelts, abstaining from speeding, not using the mobile phone while driving and keeping children in the backseat, affirming that the regulations are intended to protect motorists. - KUNA