The Ministry of Interior has rolled out a second chance initiative for drivers with minor traffic violations, allowing them to settle fines and lift registration blocks immediately at the newly opened Be Aware awareness exhibition while upholding harsh penalties for serious infractions such as driving above 180 kilometers per hour, reckless driving or stunt driving. Director of the General Traffic Department Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Nimran announced the measure during the exhibition’s inauguration by Undersecretary Major General Abdulwahab Al-Wuhaib on July 16, 2026, at The Avenues Mall, framing it as an opportunity for offenders to correct their records and comply with the law. The step follows a direct instruction from First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef and coincides with the full activation of an electronic linkage that shares traffic violation data among all GCC countries at 100 percent capacity. Officials at the event stressed that the program excludes those involved in dangerous behaviors, directing such cases toward prosecution and potential deportation for expatriates.
Ministry of Interior figures show serious traffic violations have surpassed 100,000, prompting the impoundment of more than 4,000 vehicles in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Doha lots along with 1,600 motorcycles for severe breaches that trigger citations, vehicle seizures, driver detentions and court referrals. Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Subhan, assistant director general for licensing and violations, explained that the new traffic law, effective for one year and four months, has already cut violations by 50 to 60 percent overall with the largest gains in speeding cases, pursuing the objective of safeguarding lives and road safety rather than raising revenue. Interior ministry data further places the decline in monthly public traffic violations at 83 percent in a recent period compared with the prior year, building on earlier reductions of 65 percent in speed limit breaches and 63 percent in red-light jumps recorded over a full year after the law’s introduction.
The General Traffic Department maintains a firm stance on enforcement, with courts delivering sentences that include one to three years in prison, community service, mandatory awareness courses and vehicle confiscations for the most egregious offenses. Colonel Fahad Al-Essa of the Traffic Awareness Department noted that eligible vehicle owners should approach the dedicated booth at the exhibition to pay outstanding fines, remove blocks and secure immediate release of their cars. Department representatives are simultaneously running interactive programs that outline key provisions of the traffic law, highlight frequent infractions and detail available services to visitors throughout the event.
Preparations for the new academic year include summer road maintenance projects to improve connectivity and reduce congestion, according to Al-Nimran, who confirmed the department’s readiness to support safer commuting once schools resume. The ministry is also scheduled to introduce a smart impoundment system in September while retaining elements of the traditional approach to modernize operations without disrupting ongoing enforcement. Exhibition activities extend beyond traffic to cover coast guard regulations, drug enforcement measures, security camera rules and other public safety topics, with specialists on hand to address inquiries through interactive screens and direct consultations.
Law No. 61 of 2015 governing surveillance cameras requires installations to meet specific technical standards, with footage retained for 120 days and strict prohibitions on tampering, unauthorized disclosure or violations of personal privacy that can result in up to three years imprisonment and fines reaching KD10,000. Captain Ashwaq Hamoud from the Jalboot Al Khiran Center used the platform to promote maritime safety awareness, simplified procedures for obtaining marine driving licenses available to all nationalities from age 17 onward after passing an eye examination and extensions valid for two years with a 60-day grace period. The exhibition remains open to the public through July 18, 2026, with extended hours until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday to maximize outreach.
