Bahrain's Distracted Driving Crisis: Court Links Phone Use to Fatal Accident, Orders Compensation

• Victim was crossing road • Driver distracted by phone • Court orders compensation for family

You Know What:
In Bahrain, using a mobile phone while driving is punishable by fines or suspension under Article 39 of the Traffic Law, but enforcement is limited and violations remain common, especially in residential zones.

Mahir Haneef
TDT | Manama

An Indian expatriate who was struck and killed while crossing a street in Nuwaidrat has become a painful reminder of Bahrain’s ongoing struggle with distracted driving. A court in Bahrain has confirmed that the driver who caused the fatal accident was using his mobile phone at the time of the collision.

The incident took place on October 2, 2023. Mani V.V., 50, was crossing Road 4303 near an intersection when he was hit by a vehicle driven by a Bahraini national. He died three days later, on October 5^th, from head injuries. His family, including mother Santha V.V. and siblings Sasi, Ramesan, and Mini, filed a civil case seeking compensation.

Driver distracted

According to the cour'ts ruling, the driver had been using his phone while approaching the intersection and failed to notice the pedestrian in time. The court found him guilty of negligence and confirmed that his actions had directly caused Mani’s death.

The court cited the criminal case in relation to the incident, in which the driver was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison with licence suspension. He was later granted a pardon but the civil case proceeded independently.

Despite the driver’s release, the court held both him and his insurance company jointly liable for damages.

Public concern

Mani’s death and the court’s findings have stirred renewed concern about the widespread use of mobile phones by drivers in Bahrain. Although Article 39 of the Traffic Law bans hand-held phone use while driving, violations are common. On most days, drivers can be seen texting or taking calls even near schools, roundabouts, and residential zones, with little to no visible deterrent.

The pattern of distracted driving has become a routine part of road behaviour, often overlooked unless it leads to a tragedy. This case stands out as one of the few where the courts have clearly linked such behaviour to a fatal outcome.

Compensation ordered

The court awarded BD 4,000 to Mani’s mother and BD 500 each to his three siblings, acknowledging the emotional and moral damage caused by the loss. Although the family could not prove continuous financial support, the ruling recognised their grief and the lost hope of future care.

In a letter shared with Indian authorities, the family expressed gratitude to lawyer Bushra Mayoof and the Pravasi Legal Cell for reviving a case that was initially dismissed. They also thanked the Indian Embassy and Kerala’s Chief Minister for diplomatic and moral support during the ordeal.

Systemic issue

The case is significant not only for its compensation ruling but also for its documentation of distracted driving as the confirmed cause of death, which is rare in Bahrain’s courts. Legal observers say this highlights how casual recklessness on the roads, especially involving mobile phone use, continues to pose risks to pedestrian safety and public life. It also signals a slow but steady move towards greater legal accountability.

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com