New Traffic Law: A Firm Start to the School Year

As the new academic year begins, the implementation of the amended Traffic Law comes into effect, marking a significant step in Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to protect lives and ensure smoother traffic flow. This decree-law represents an important milestone in the development of national legislation that reinforces road safety and upholds justice among all road users.

The timing of this law could not have been better, as drivers have already had the chance to learn about their rights and responsibilities before the return of crowded school traffic. Every year, the start of school brings familiar challenges: parents rushing to pick up their children, bus drivers exercising immense patience amid congestion, and security officers who endure the strain of traffic management with admirable professionalism.

While the amendments primarily target reckless driving and fatal accidents, their impact will also be felt in school drop-off and pick-up zones. Respecting traffic rules in these areas is not just a legal obligation but a humanitarian responsibility—ensuring children’s safety while maintaining the rights of others to a smooth traffic flow.

Unfortunately, some private drivers take liberties with the rules during these times, citing the pressure of school traffic. Yet they must remember that they are role models for the children they transport, and that careless behavior can leave a lasting impression, normalizing bad habits for the next generation.

The Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Traffic continue to play a vital role in awareness campaigns, which can be seen as an investment in the sustainable education of students. These efforts nurture a sense of responsibility toward the road that grows with them throughout their academic journey. Despite the challenges of policing school zones, traffic officers and community police display a high level of professionalism and dedication, providing a constant source of support and protection for all.

The new penalties may appear strict, but at their core, they are designed to safeguard society and protect road users. They are not merely punitive; they serve as a shield against recklessness that has, in the past, led to tragic losses of entire families. Just as a doctor may need to open a wound to remove a tumor, firm enforcement of the law is sometimes necessary to eliminate chaos and preserve lives. (Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune and the President of the Arab-African Unity Organisation for Relief, Human Rights and Counterterrorism)