A total of 227 people were killed in more than 44,000 accidents reported in Kuwait during the first half of 2012, which saw the fatality rate increase by 25 percent compared to the first six months of the last year. This was reported by Al-Qabas yesterday quoting statistics released by the Department of Traffic Planning and Research in the Ministry of Interior. The report also showed that 4,895 people were injured during the first six months of this year, including 2,397 sustaining serious injuries or suffering disabilities. The number of injuries saw a whopping 900 percent jump compared to the same period of 2011.

Meanwhile, the statistics showed that 1,777,238 traffic tickets were issued during the first half of 2012, including more than 146,000 violations of crossing the red traffic light, and 668 tickets issued to drivers involved in racing on public roads. The ministry also collected an estimated KD20 million in fines, Al-Qabas reported. According to the same statistics, around 41,000 new drivers’ licenses were issued during the first six months of 2012, compared to around 38,000 during the same period in 2011. The total number of valid licenses in Kuwait as of June end stood at 1,282,714, while the number of registered vehicles stood at 1,680,830.

The statistics further indicated that Kuwait citizens accounted for 102 deaths or about 44 percent of total road fatalities during the first half of 2012, followed by 62 cases of Asian victims that accounted for 27 percent. They also showed that 223 accidents were caused by over speeding, 80 by driving under the influence of alcohol, and 15 due to crossing red traffic light.

Courtesy : KuwaitTimes