KUWAIT: The Pakistani owner of a 1999 model car recently faced a surprising checkpoint. When asked to pulled over, he produced his Civil ID card and driving license. The police informed him that his car would be confiscated. He spoke to the Kuwait Times on condition of anonymity. His car was seized by a traffic police at a checkpoint near Jleeb Al-Shoukh three days ago, "My car is still in police custody. It was a 1999 model. I was told that I can only take my car after 15 days. The police informed me tha
t they were taking it because of the noisy engine sound," he said.

This violation is punishable by law and is being strictly enforced of late. Kuwait's Interior Ministry Spokesman admitted that stricter traffic regulations will be put into force. Speaking with the Kuwait Times yesterday, Adel Al-Hashash, Interior Ministry spokesperson said that the stricter rules will continue to ensure safety and security of all road users. "We are implementing the existing rules and regulations which have been in place for years," he said. His reaction came as a response to complaints m
ade by expatriates (car owners) who have been stopped at frequent check points.

The Pakistani driver's experience is not an isolated case. An Indian expatriate who was only willing to be identified as Nithin said that he was intercepted, and his car was thoroughly inspected in Khaitan last week. "My car, together with about 50 others were stopped and checked by traffic police in Khaitan. I have a problem with smoke belching out from my car.

I thought I would just get a ticket citation, as has been the case before. I was surprised to hear the police say that I can no longer use my car because they were taking it. The traffic police told me that I can only take my car back after paying a KD 50 fine. I have to pay the impound fee as well," Nithin said. Nithin's car model was a 1997 one.

A similar incident occurred when a Filipino car owner was intercepted at a checkpoint in Kuwait City last month, "My problem was about car paint. I thought the policeman would issue a ticket citation; my car is quite old maybe 14 years , but is still in good condition. He took down my license and registration number. I asked him to give me a ticket. But he said, "I cannot drive it anymore because they are towing my car to the impound garage." He advised me to take the car from 'murur'( traffic police) aft
er two weeks.

A proposal has been made in the past to ban the use of old cars in Kuwait. According to some officials, a car older than 15 years will not be registered unless it passes an examination that is monitored by a committee at the traffic department. However, the proposal was not heard of again. With the latest campaign to get rid of old cars on Kuwaiti streets, many car owners cannot help but guess whether the law was passed silently.

The stricter traffic campaigns across various locations in Kuwait is being undertaken by the General Traffic Department (GTD). It started in early April, where the traffic police reportedly seized more than 400 cars. The campaign, involving hundreds of policemen, covered the country's six governorates. Traffic offenses involved speeding, reckless driving, failure to fasten the seat belt, using mobile phones while driving, expiry of car insurance/licenses, illegal modifications made to vehicles and other fo
rms of violations. - Kuwait Times