Traffic Department: 351,597 violations, 22,000 accidents, 891 fugitives apprehended, and 259 unlicensed markets in the first half of 2026

The semi-annual statistics released by the General Directorate of Traffic revealed the issuance of 351,597 traffic violations, the handling of 22,012 traffic accidents, and 46,657 traffic reports. These figures reflect the scale of field operations conducted by traffic officers during the first six months of the year, underscoring the results of targeted campaigns and traffic monitoring aimed at enhancing discipline, enforcing the law, and addressing violations, accidents, and reports, alongside apprehending wanted individuals and non-compliant vehicles.

These efforts were carried out under the directives of the Head of the Operations and Traffic Sector, Colonel Ahmed Fahad Al-Azmi, and under the supervision and follow-up of the Director General of the General Directorate of Traffic, Brigadier General Rashid Hamoud Al-Hajri. During the period from January 1 to June 30, 2026, the Directorate intensified the deployment of its patrols and campaigns, focusing on violations and behaviors that pose a risk to road users.

According to the statistics, inspection and deployment operations resulted in the apprehension of 891 wanted individuals in cases of desertion and absconding, as well as 817 individuals whose residency permits had expired. Additionally, 422 wanted vehicles were seized. Furthermore, 259 juvenile cases were referred to the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office for committing the offense of driving without a license. It is noted that legal procedures are also taken against vehicle owners in such cases.

The statistics also indicated that traffic officers handled 35 suspected cases of intoxication or drug use, apprehending 81 individuals without official proof, and taking the necessary legal measures against each case according to its nature.

In terms of traffic enforcement measures, the statistics recorded 723 impoundment cases at traffic police stations, along with the impoundment of 5,609 vehicles and 538 motorcycles, totaling 6,147 vehicles and motorcycles during the same period.

These measures are part of continuous campaigns and field deployments on highways and inland areas, aimed at curbing dangerous violations and reducing behaviors that may lead to accidents, as well as ensuring rapid response to reports and emergencies and regulating traffic flow.

The statistics clearly highlight the extensive scope of tasks undertaken by traffic officers, which extend beyond issuing violations and regulating traffic to include responding to reports and accidents, apprehending wanted individuals and vehicles, and handling cases requiring legal action, thereby strengthening the overall security and traffic enforcement system.

The General Directorate of Traffic emphasized the intensification of campaigns in locations with high traffic density or elevated violation rates, with a focus on dangerous behaviors such as speeding, reckless driving, phone distraction, and non-compliance with traffic rules. It stressed that enhancing traffic safety is a shared responsibility between traffic officers and road users, achieved by adhering to speed limits, traffic signals and signs, maintaining safe following distances, and avoiding phone use while driving or engaging in any behavior that could endanger lives and property.