The Ministry of Interior has impounded and crushed several vehicles involved in reckless driving that endangers the lives of other road users as part of its zero-tolerance policy toward serious traffic violations. Working with the General Administration of Logistics and Catering the General Traffic Department completed all legal steps before destroying the vehicles at a metal recycling facility a ministry statement said. This enforcement targets behaviors that the ministry has identified as posing direct threats to public safety and disrupting orderly traffic flow across the country.
Ministry of Interior figures from a June 2026 campaign showed 17,467 traffic violations issued along with 359 vehicles impounded during that period. Earlier in May 2026 the ministry outlined penalties for speeding at 150 km per hour that include vehicle impoundment for Kuwaitis and additional deportation for expatriates while speeds of 200 km per hour can lead to prison terms for citizens and similar vehicle confiscation plus deportation for non-citizens. The ministry has stressed that these steps form part of continuous efforts to deter dangerous conduct and reduce the risk of serious accidents.
The ministry emphasized that it will apply the law firmly against all violators without exception and that crushing the vehicles serves as a deterrent to those who might otherwise disregard road rules. Recent clarifications from the traffic department indicate that cases involving recklessness or accumulated offenses are excluded from any home impoundment options and must instead face full legal consequences at official facilities. This distinction ensures that the most hazardous violations receive the strictest response according to the ministry’s guidelines.
Brigadier General Khaled Al-Adwani assistant director general for violations and licensing affairs explained in September 2026 that 29 articles in the traffic law authorize vehicle impoundment for dangerous breaches but that serious offenses such as recklessness do not qualify for alternative arrangements like electronic monitoring at home. Al-Adwani noted during a state television appearance that modified exhaust systems producing excessive noise also require correction at official garages before any release can be considered. The traffic authority’s data further shows that drivers with extensive violation histories or large unpaid fines face heightened measures under the same framework.
The ministry has called on the public to report instances of reckless driving by calling emergency number 112 or sending details via WhatsApp to the General Traffic Department at 99324092. Ongoing review of social media footage has enabled authorities to identify and pursue additional violators whose actions were captured in videos of red-light running or other high-risk maneuvers. Ministry statistics indicate that such public cooperation has contributed to sustained pressure on violation rates throughout the year.
Kuwait Times reported that the ministry’s June 2026 operations also included handling 1,166 traffic accidents of which 175 involved injuries as well as the detention of 42 individuals. These campaigns align with updates to traffic regulations that have raised fines and mandated civil liability insurance for all vehicles on the road. The traffic department has maintained round-the-clock presence at major axes and checkpoints to reinforce compliance and protect road users from preventable harm.
