No traffic fines for physically challenged

Manama : For the first time in the region, physically challenged persons and elderly citizens may soon be exempted from paying traffic fines.

This comes as the House of Representatives yesterday passed a proposal that is believed to contribute to the efforts of enhancing the livelihoods of these categories.

Despite some reservations by the General Directorate of Traffic in Interior Ministry, the majority of MPs yesterday voted for the proposal.

It instructs to exempt physically challenged persons and elderly citizens of paying wrong parking fines in case no parking spaces were available for them at the time the violation is committed.

Initially submitted by MP Mohammed Al Maarifi and four fellow MPs, the proposal stipulates adding a new paragraph to Article 56 of the existing Traffic Law 23 of 2014.

It was referred earlier to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee in the council. The committee issued a report in support of the proposal, after it reviewed the matter with the General Directorate of Traffic in Interior Ministry and Labour and Social Development Ministry, which is in charge of caring for people with disabilities and senior citizens.

The directorate agreed to include physically challenged persons in the new amendment, as special stickers are posted on their vehicles and “recognising them would be an easy task”.

But, it also mentioned that the same conditions shouldn’t be implemented on elderly citizens, as their vehicles are difficult to be recongnised by traffic police.

The directorate also noted that the wrong parking violation shouldn’t hinder the flow of traffic or endanger lives by parking on pavements.   

Al Maarifi had informed the committee earlier that the proposal would serve aiding people with disabilities and the elderly, reducing the burdens they endure while searching for public parking spaces.