Road Rage Law Tested

Road Rage Law Tested

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini student jailed for three years over a violent road-rage incident will return to court this month, in what legal observers say could test how far the law recognises ‘provocation’ as a defence in assault cases

The High Criminal Court of Appeal has set October 19 for the hearing of the 24-year-old, who was convicted earlier this year for punching another motorist after an argument sparked by what he called ‘prolonged honking’.

Appeal spotlight

The First Instance Court had sentenced the defendant to three years in prison and fined him BD 50 for damaging the victim’s car. Prosecutors said the assault left the other driver with a five-per-cent permanent disability after suffering a fractured nasal septum.

According to testimony, the confrontation began in the busy Souq Waqif area when the victim honked to alert the student to move his vehicle. The exchange quickly escalated - the defendant allegedly insulted the victim, struck him in the face and kicked his car, shattering the windshield.

Provocation argument

In court, the defendant admitted striking the driver but claimed he acted in anger after being provoked by the continuous horn. A passing police officer testified that he saw the victim bleeding before stepping in to restrain the attacker.

The upcoming appeal is expected to clarify whether such ‘loss of temper’ defences can influence sentencing in violent traffic disputes.

The Appeal Court’s ruling later this month will decide whether the original sentence stands or if provocation can temper punishment in one of Bahrain’s most talked-about road-rage trials this year.