Approval of Amendments to the Executive Regulations of the Traffic Law to Regulate Alternative Penalties for Traffic Violations - Sarmad
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Saud Al-Sabah, issued Ministerial Decision No. 895 of 2026 regarding the amendment of certain provisions of Ministerial Decision No. 81 of 1976, which constitutes the Executive Regulations of the Traffic Law. The decision includes the regulation of mechanisms for implementing alternative penalties for traffic violations, effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The decision stipulates the amendment of Article 212 bis of the Executive Regulations, establishing a regulatory framework for alternative penalties that courts may impose in lieu of the original imprisonment sentence. These alternatives include community service, attendance at awareness, rehabilitation, and training programs, and repair of damage resulting from the offense. The General Administration for the Execution of Judgments shall be responsible for supervising their implementation.
The decision specifies the entities where community service penalties are carried out, depending on the nature of the crime and the circumstances of the convicted person. The Ministry of Interior is tasked with assigning convicted individuals to participate in traffic awareness campaigns, work under the General Administration of Traffic, engage with correctional and rehabilitation institutions, and assist Civil Defense operations. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is responsible for involving them in scheduling and health awareness campaigns.
Furthermore, tasks assigned under the Ministry of Education include organizing school libraries, participating in student awareness campaigns, and performing cleaning and tidying duties. The Ministry of Social Affairs is tasked with involving them in social care activities, distributing aid, and working in social development centers and cooperative societies. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs includes duties such as arranging copies of the Quran, cleaning mosques, and assisting in religious activities.
The decision also provides for work assignments under the Ministry of Electricity and Water, involving the documentation of electricity meter data, and under the Ministry of Public Works, involving participation in field maintenance, clearing debris from roads, painting sidewalks, and organizing signage. Tasks under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry include consumer awareness, distributing brochures, and participating in awareness exhibitions.
Additionally, alternative penalties include participation in beach cleanups, tree planting, waste removal, and environmental awareness campaigns under the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs; cemetery organization, funeral affairs management, and cleanliness operations under the Kuwait Municipality; and training in simple trades and organizing craft workshops under the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training.
Other measures include raising awareness among expatriate workers, organizing training courses, and translation work under the Public Authority for Manpower; cleaning public parks and planting trees under the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fisheries; participation in charitable works, humanitarian aid, awareness campaigns, training in simple trades, and administrative support under public benefit associations; and work at fuel stations affiliated with the Ministry of Oil.
The decision clarified that rehabilitation programs include educational lectures, training workshops, and psychological and behavioral programs aimed at modifying irresponsible driving behaviors. The General Administration for the Execution of Judgments, in coordination with the General Administration of Traffic, is responsible for organizing these programs in cooperation with government and private entities, as well as public benefit associations.
Regarding damage repair, the decision stipulates that this be carried out in coordination with the affected party, either by restoring the item to its original condition, repairing it, or providing financial compensation if restoration is not feasible. The value of the damage shall be determined through coordination between the General Administration of Traffic and the government entity owning the damaged property.
The decision affirmed that the entities implementing alternative sanctions are required to submit reports to the General Administration for the Execution of Judgments regarding the convicted person’s compliance. In the event of refusal to carry out the sanction or breach thereof, the matter is referred to the competent court to proceed with the execution of the original custodial sentence.
