The Ministry of Interior issued the warning this week after detecting several attempts to interfere with electronic locking systems placed on impounded cars. According to the General Traffic Department, these devices are installed on vehicles as part of penalties for offenses that include reckless driving, accumulated traffic fines and other major breaches of road rules. The department’s statement stressed that any such tampering constitutes a fresh violation that will be pursued through the courts with potential fines and extended sanctions. Officials noted that the measure forms part of routine enforcement operations that have been expanded in recent years to address persistent traffic safety challenges.
Ministry of Interior figures show that traffic authorities impounded more than 25,000 vehicles last year for various infractions, a tally that underscores the scale of daily enforcement activity on Kuwait’s roads. The electronic devices, which prevent owners from moving their cars until all procedures are completed, have become a standard tool since their introduction several years ago. Data published by the Central Statistical Bureau places road accidents among the leading causes of injury in the country, with annual reports consistently highlighting the need for stronger compliance with penalties. The latest warning serves as a direct reminder that bypassing these systems carries its own set of legal consequences.
The General Traffic Department advised vehicle owners encountering problems with an impoundment device to contact authorities directly rather than attempting any form of removal or alteration. In the statement, the department explained that proper channels exist for resolving impoundment orders, including payment of fines and completion of required documentation at designated centers. This guidance aligns with earlier directives issued by the ministry that sought to reduce direct confrontations between officers and drivers during enforcement actions. Similar notices have been circulated periodically when patterns of tampering surfaced in specific areas.
Public Authority for Road Safety statistics indicate that driver behavior contributing to impoundments has shown only modest improvement despite repeated campaigns, with certain high-risk violations remaining steady over the past five years. The authority’s assessments link consistent enforcement, including the use of physical and electronic restraints, to incremental declines in repeat offenses among targeted driver groups. Kuwait’s overall road fatality rate, tracked by the World Health Organization, stands higher than many regional peers, prompting sustained focus on both prevention and penalty systems. The impoundment program forms one element of a multi-layered approach that also includes awareness initiatives and stricter licensing requirements.
Further details released by the ministry outline that legal action for tampering can range from additional monetary penalties to vehicle re-impoundment and, in severe cases, referral to prosecution under traffic laws. The General Traffic Department has coordinated with other interior ministry branches to monitor compliance at storage yards and roadside sites where devices are commonly fitted. This integrated oversight has helped authorities track instances of interference more effectively than in previous years. Motorists are encouraged to review their traffic records regularly through official digital platforms to avoid reaching the stage where impoundment becomes necessary.
