Ministerial Decree No. 895/2026 issued by Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah amends provisions of Ministerial Decree No. 81/1976 on the executive regulations of the traffic law and was published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm on July 6. The measure creates a structured framework under Article 212-bis that allows courts to substitute imprisonment with community service participation in awareness campaigns or compensation for damages caused by violations. The General Directorate for the Execution of Judicial Rulings holds responsibility for overseeing these alternative penalties with coordination from the General Traffic Department to match assignments to the specifics of each case and the profile of the convicted individual.
According to the decree the new options take effect immediately upon publication and focus on rehabilitation while maintaining accountability for traffic infractions. Ministry of Interior statistics indicate that speeding violations fell 65 percent in the year after updated traffic rules took hold in April 2025 with the annual total dropping from more than 1.6 million to roughly 562,000. Red-light violations declined by 63 percent over the same period according to the same interior ministry data underscoring the impact of stricter enforcement on overall compliance.
The decree assigns the Ministry of Interior to direct convicted individuals toward traffic awareness campaigns operations within the General Traffic Department or activities at correctional facilities and civil defense units. Under the Ministry of Health convicts may organize patient appointments or join health education initiatives while the Ministry of Education routes them to school library organization student awareness drives or general cleaning duties. These placements vary by the offense type and the convicted person’s background to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
Further assignments detailed in the decree send individuals to the Ministry of Social Affairs for welfare support aid distribution or work at development centers and cooperatives. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs incorporates tasks such as arranging Qurans mosque maintenance or assistance with religious programs. Participants under the Ministry of Public Works handle road maintenance debris removal sidewalk painting and signage organization while the Ministry of Commerce and Industry focuses on consumer awareness brochure distribution and exhibition participation.
The Environment Public Authority receives assignments for coastal cleanups tree planting waste removal and environmental education campaigns according to the decree. Kuwait Municipality directs work in cemetery organization funeral management and cleaning operations. The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training offers vocational skill sessions and craft workshops while the Public Authority for Manpower engages participants in expatriate awareness training courses and translation services. The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources assigns park cleaning and tree planting duties.
Rehabilitation elements outlined in the decree include educational lectures workshops and behavioral programs designed to address reckless driving habits. Coordination with affected parties determines restitution through property restoration repairs or financial payments with damage values assessed jointly by the General Traffic Department and the relevant government entity. Entities supervising the alternative penalties must furnish compliance reports to the General Directorate for the Execution of Judicial Rulings.
Noncompliance with the assigned alternative penalty or any violation of its terms triggers referral back to the original court for completion of the full prison sentence the decree states. Additional options encompass charitable activities humanitarian aid basic vocational training and administrative support for public associations as well as shifts at fuel stations managed by the Ministry of Oil. The framework requires ongoing collaboration among government bodies private entities and nonprofit associations to implement the penalties effectively.
