Syed Hussein Al -Qassab
In the wake of the tragic traffic accident that took place at dawn on Friday in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and a young man and his wife were killed, and their three sons were injured, the deputies Ahmed Al -Salloum, and Dr. Maryam Al -Dhawan, and Jalal Kazem Al -Mahfouz on the need for a speedy parliamentary movement to the non -legislation that determine the recklessness in the roads, and contribute to raising the level of traffic safety, stressing the full parliament cooperation with the government in this context.
Representative Ahmed Al -Salloum explained that the directive of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the Minister of Interior regarding the increase in the penalties associated with the recklessness leading to deaths, reflects the need to address an existing legislative vacuum. He pointed out that dealing with these incidents is still under appreciation, more than it is based on clear and direct legal texts criminalizing these actions.
He stressed that the Parliament will go to study legislative and legal tools criminalizing this type of violations, and will also adopt any draft law that comes from the government in this regard, noting that the enactment of such legislation will contribute to preserving lives and promoting deterrence, stressing that the last incident is an unfortunate evidence of the need to fill this legal vacuum.
For her part, MP Dr. Maryam Al -Dhawan from her progress with a desire to compel all vehicles to install front cameras (Dash Cam), explaining that the aim of this proposal is to enable each driver to document what is happening while driving, which provides visual evidence in which responsibilities are resolved if accidents occur.
And she indicated that this initiative would contribute to solving the simplest accidents and daily problems, such as if a person is exposed to a simple accident, and there is a photo guide that determines the official, or in the event that one of the drivers shocked a car and escape from the site, the camera will be a witness that guarantees the right of the affected, in addition to its vital role in deadly accidents, God forbid, where it provides clear evidence that facilitates the investigation procedures. She expressed her hope that there will be no fatal accidents in the future, but the presence of “Dash Kam” will help document the facts if they occur.
She also indicated that this camera will have a deterrent effect, as everyone will realize that there is continuous control through cameras installed in all vehicles, and not only in some streets, which will reduce reckless and speed rates in the roads.
She emphasized that this proposal enjoys wide popular support after its presentation in the newspapers and the media, and that it is a consideration by the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee, and the government has shown an initial response to it.
For his part, Representative Jalal Kazem Al -Mahfouz said that the current legislation, despite its thickening, still needs to activate wider and more strict application without compromise, indicating that legal deterrence will not be sufficient alone unless it is associated with intensifying security patrols and increasing checkpoints, and expanding the use of security cameras to monitor violations immediately and effectively.
He stressed that imposing the maximum penalties on those causing serious or deadly accidents must be an indisputable option, especially if their recklessness or disregard is proven, whether in their full awareness or under the influence of intoxicating materials, calling for depriving them of benefiting from alternative sanctions programs completely.
Al -Mahfouz concluded his statement by emphasizing that the souls of innocent people are not an area for negligence or indulgence, and that real deterrence begins from a fair, strict law and serious application, with the importance of raising the level of societal awareness of the dangers of recklessness in leadership, and enhancing a culture of respecting the road and committing to laws, noting that “traffic safety is a collective responsibility, not only stops at the role of the state, but begins from the individual’s behavior and awareness of the danger of recklessness.”
