Director of Traffic Awareness: Double parking is a primary cause of congestion in front of schools; violation obstructing traffic flow under surveillance

Kuwait officials: Acting Director of the Traffic Awareness Department at the General Directorate of Traffic, Abdullah Buhasan, warned against the practice of double parking in front of schools, emphasizing that this behavior is one of the primary causes of traffic disruptions and the creation of congestion points near schools, especially during student arrival and dismissal periods. He stressed the importance of adhering to designated drop-off zones, noting that vehicle accumulation at a single point within a short timeframe is closely monitored by traffic patrols.

Buhasan told Al-Anbaa that the awareness campaign accompanying the start of the new academic year aims to enhance traffic culture among students, parents, and guardians, and to reinforce safe driving behaviors in and around school areas. He noted that students’ return to schools leads to increased traffic density, particularly during the beginning and end of the school day, urging parents to prepare in advance for the school commute and not to leave home at the last minute. He advised them to familiarize themselves with routes to schools and identify alternative paths in case of congestion.

He emphasized that a student’s tardiness does not justify rushing, speeding, running red lights, or making sudden lane changes, reiterating that the priority is ensuring children arrive at school safely, not as quickly as possible. He pointed out that some parents’ insistence on dropping their children directly in front of the school gate can disrupt traffic flow, adding that dropping off a child at a safe, designated location is preferable to stopping in front of the gate if it obstructs traffic or endangers the student.

Buhasan stressed that a parent’s role extends beyond simply transporting their children to school; it also includes instilling proper traffic habits in them. He noted that children acquire many of their traffic habits from their parents, including wearing seat belts, respecting traffic signals and pedestrians, and adhering to speed limits. He also urged parents to ensure children are seated in appropriate positions inside vehicles and to prevent them from exiting before the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

He addressed students directly, advising them to be cautious when crossing roads, use designated pedestrian crossings, avoid walking between parked vehicles, and refrain from using mobile phones while crossing. He affirmed that a student becomes a road user the moment they step out of a vehicle.

He explained that the Traffic Awareness Department works in coordination with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Information, and various media outlets to deliver awareness messages to families and students before the start of the school year, emphasizing that early education helps curb incorrect behaviors, congestion, and accidents.

He highlighted that traffic police, rescue personnel, and public security officers stationed around schools and main roads work to organize and facilitate traffic flow, calling on drivers to cooperate with them and follow their instructions.

Buhasan concluded by stressing that the success of the back-to-school season is a shared responsibility, emphasizing that strict adherence to traffic rules can help avoid long traffic jams and accidents, ensuring students reach their schools safely and return home unharmed.