bahrainthismonth.com | JUNE 2025 OPINION 55 “DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT” The Kingdom is plagued by a growing epidemic: drivers who treat traffic laws as suggestions and mobile phones as lifelines more vital than the safety of those around them. The result? A transport system where irresponsible drivers push road safety to the brink, making every commute a gamble and every junction a potential crime scene for lawabiding citizens. Mobile Phones Behind the Wheel – The Scourge of the Screens – Despite strict laws banning the use of hand-held phones while driving, Bahrain’s roads are rife with motorists glued to their screens. The law is clear, yet enforcement remains a concern. Social media is flooded with videos of drivers texting, scrolling and even filming while in traffic. This distraction endangers not just the driver but everyone else. Delayed reactions, erratic speeds and sudden lane changes create chaos, leading to avoidable accidents. Inconsiderate Road Users and Dangerous Drivers In his monthly series for Bahrain This Month, Bill Grieve casts his civic lens on areas of concern, offering an enlightening and engaging perspective on various issues affecting life in the Kingdom. Traffic Lights and the Domino Effect – Mobile phone misuse doesn’t only cause collisions; it disrupts traffic flow. At intersections, distracted drivers fail to notice green lights, causing delays that ripple across the network. This ‘traffic elasticity’ leads to longer commutes, higher fuel use and growing frustration. Endangering Children: The Moral Abyss of Distracted Parenting – The most alarming consequence is the risk to children. Parents are often seen texting or calling while driving, with children unsecured in the back – or worse, in the front seat, violating traffic laws. This is not just negligent – it’s reprehensible. Prioritising digital engagement over a child’s safety reveals a dangerous societal numbness to risk, where convenience trumps caution. Speeding and Reckless Driving: The Deadly Dance – Speeding persists in Bahrain despite severe penalties. Many drivers still treat speed limits as suggestions. Reckless lane changes, cutting off other motorists, and not using indicators are all commonplace. Law Enforcement Overburdened – These violations place undue strain on Bahrain’s traffic enforcement agencies. Resources that could support crime prevention or community policing are instead consumed by preventable traffic incidents. Emergency services are overstretched, responding to crashes caused by distracted or reckless driving. This not only drains public resources but delays responses to other emergencies, increasing public risk. Bahrain stands at a crossroads – The decisions made today will shape whether we see more road fatalities – or a return to safety and respect on the roads. The time for complacency is over. It is essential for individuals, communities and authorities to unite and restore a culture of safety, courtesy and accountability behind the wheel.
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