Expats Run More Red Lights
This is from today’s Kuwait Times.
KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry defended a new policy of deporting expatriates who run red lights by arguing that “the highest percentage of traffic violations are committed by expats, adding that this constitutes a hazard on the lives of motorists,” reported Al-Jarida.
The ministry in a statement said it had the legal right according to the Foreigners Residency law to deport expats for such offenses. And added that the ministry used this right as it is its administrative right according to the law. (sic)
I am blown away that they can say this with a straight face.
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I am never against new traffic laws, no matter how extreme they are. I’m pretty sure that if they weren’t seeing a huge number expats running red lights they wouldn’t have made such a big deal out of it.
Enigma, I agree. I love strong traffic laws. I haven’t said anything about this one before, because my guess is that expats who run more than one red light probably have other cases filed against them, too, they are people who break laws.
My seething comes from the statement that most violations are committed by expats. I stop at several lights in an area where others don’t stop – and they are NOT expats.
I understand your frustration on this one. it’s not fair to generalize like this, it’s not right
off topic: lately I’ve noticed that drivers are respecting the speed limit, at last, never thought that will ever happen in this country!
Pearls, I agree! I am astonished at how calm the traffic is on highways that are often chaotic and dangerous. And *gasp* I see people pulled off on the side of the road using their cell phones! I love it; I see it as a sign that people really want that law to be enforced, even though it causes us inconvenience.
*hoots with laughter*
Straight face indeed!
I know, Huda. The law doesn’t bother me at all – running a red light is a SERIOUSLY dangerous thing to do. It’s the claim that mostly expats do it that has me seeing red.
At the same time, I can empathize with the Kuwaitis who see themselves a minority in a country full of hired laborors – I can imagine their frustration. But to make a difference in traffic safety, a law needs to be applied equally to all, nationals and expats alike.