Ahmad Youssef Al Kuwari, Head of the Traffic Prosecution, during a Press conference at its headquarters in Al Dafna, yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula
The Public Prosecution is in investigation on a number of cases of traffic violations in Sealine area to refer the violators to the court soon.
The Head of the Traffic Prosecution, Ahmed Youssef Al Kuwari, said that the Public Prosecution will deal reckless driving with iron hand and it will not allow the violators of traffic rules to endanger their lives and the lives of others.
“The punishment could reach up to six years in jail, in case the passengers are injured due to negligence or by flouting the laws and regulations,” said Youssef Al Kuwari, while addressing a press conference held yesterday at the headquarters of the Public Prosecution in Al Dafna.
He said that the vehicles used in committing such crimes would be confiscated by a court order. The Traffic Prosecution is authorised to investigate and dispose of the crimes mentioned in Law No. 19 of 2007 regarding the Traffic Law and its amendments.
He said that Traffic Prosecution also investigates related crimes, such as injury to passengers accompanied with the driver of the vehicle due to accidents, then transfer the cases to the competent traffic court in this regard. Al Kuwari said that the law enforcement agencies have arrested a number of violators in the Sealine area during the past few days, and they were transferred to the Public Prosecution.
“The Traffic Prosecution took the most effective investigation procedures against the accused,” said Al Kuwari. He said that the discretionary authority is taking these measures which includes the arrest of the accused, sending them on remand and the seizure of the vehicle.
“The Sealine area is considered a tourist destination, but it has been turned into an arena of vanity and recklessness, so we cannot close our eyes to it,” said Head of the Traffic Prosecution.
“As an investigative authority, we receive reports in this regard and the perpetrators of these incidents are referred to us and we take the necessary and strict measures against them.”
Speaking on punishment, Al Kuwari said that in the case of reckless driving and driving the vehicle without license plates or concealing them, the penalty may reach up to 3 years of imprisonment. 0“In case of reckless driving or flouting the Traffic Law and regulations which led to an accident causing injuries the punishment could reach to 6 years in jail and considered a crime,” he added. He said that in the case of driving under the influence of intoxication, the punishment may reach up to 3 years.
