Bahrain’s Parliament is considering a proposal to significantly increase penalties for traffic accidents resulting in death.

The proposed amendment to Law No. 23 of 2014, spearheaded by MP Abdullah Khalifa Al Romaihi and a group of MPs, aims to deter reckless driving and improve road safety.

The proposed amendment would impose a minimum of six months of imprisonment and a fine of no less than BD1,000 for causing a fatal accident.

This penalty aligns with the current punishment for overtaking a red light and causing a death. The proposal comes amid concerns about a rise in careless driving and disregard for traffic regulations. 

Data revealed:

While the proposal focuses on drivers, pedestrians also contribute to some accidents. Data from the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) reveals that crossing and running on roads resulted in serious injuries for 15 and 17 individuals, respectively, in 2023.

According to the statistics, Manama reported the highest number of serious injuries in 2023, with 89 incidents. Riffa (80), Muharraq (44), Hamada Town (24), Sitra (32), and Hidd (16) followed. Notably, no accidents were reported on Hawar Island that year.

A concerning report by the iGA reveals 70 deaths, along with 1,234 injuries and 848 injury accidents. Experts warn that the rising number of vehicles on Bahrain’s roads could lead to a significant increase in traffic accidents.

This surge in registered vehicles, currently at 575,294 cars and 27,675 motorcycles, according to data from the iGA, is likely to cause congestion on highways in the future. This congestion creates a higher risk of accidents, posing a potential threat to road safety.