ShareStatistics from the Traffic Department during the first week of November show that 2,065 cars and 44 motorcycles were impounded, while 95 persons were detained for committing violations including running red lights, over-speeding, recklessness and not having a driving license. Ten expats were even deported for driving without a license.
The official figures indicate significant carelessness in obeying traffic laws. This carelessness affects every one of us on the road. This is why streets are no longer safe. You can kill or be killed or injured because someone out there cares less if he/she lives or dies. Why are people not afraid of traffic laws here? If they don't care about the penalties, at least they should fear for their lives, if not of others. It is certainly puzzling!
I know that some people have a lot of money and couldn't care less about the fines, even though they are stiff, and I know there are those who are not afraid of the police because they have wasta. This kind of ignorance and apathy is dangerous for everyone. Kuwaitis respect the laws of the country they visit, which makes you wonder why they don't respect the laws and regulations in their home country, to the point that it almost becomes common that everyone is breaking the simple laws here, even when it comes to standing in queues. Being a law-abiding citizen is becoming something uncommon.
I believe there are several reasons for this, and the first people who are guilty are parents and schools. Family, school and society do not bring up the individual to respect the law. When you go to a state where the law applies on everyone, you will be committed to follow the law as everyone does. While in Kuwait, a law-abiding person will feel that he is different from others and everyone may directly or indirectly encourage him or her to break the law because everyone else does. For example, I fasten my seatbelt while driving, but some people I know see this as an exaggeration!
Another reason for people not respecting laws here is because wasta has become more powerful than the writ of the land. This is indeed regretful. Kuwait needs years to change these negative values in the society. This change must start from the individual first, because right now, everyone complains about the absence of the system and compliance with the law, but everyone must begin by himself and his family and be self-motivated, which is stronger than the law.
The spread of the feeling that one can be secure from punishment when violating laws is a dangerous attitude. The streets will claim more lives every day and no media newsletter or campaign will stop this. Everyone must start with themselves - if not for themselves, at least to avoid unnecessary suffering and pain.
By Muna Al-Fuzai
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