A nationwide campaign has been launched to raise awareness about Bahrain's new traffic law, which includes stricter punishments for motoring offences.

The tough law, which was ratified by His Majesty King Hamad in July last year, has quadrupled some punishments - including jail terms of up to six months and fines up to BD500, or both, for deliberately jumping a red light, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It will come into effect on February 8, and will also introduce a new penalty point system which threatens to revoke licences of repeat offenders after they exceed maximum number of points.

Traffic Directorate general director Shaikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa yesterday said the month-long campaign will feature awareness schemes such as media outreach programmes.

"People will get to know how important the new traffic law is when we start broadcasting its details on television and radio," he said.

"Billboards will also carry messages on road safety rules and the penalties they could face when violated.

"This is a nationwide campaign and we have already hired a company to manage and help us reach out to everyone in the country.

"The law includes strict penalties, but these penalties will be imposed gradually with the new point system, which might threaten to revoke the licence of repeat violators but also reduces the punishment in some conditions such as slashing fines by 50 per cent when paid early.

"We know some think the law is tough but the majority of people are urging us to do something about the violations."

Shaikh Nasser was speaking at a Press conference held at the Traffic Directorate in Isa Town.

The GDN earlier reported that the new law has been pending for seven years and will replace existing legislation dating back 35 years.

It was approved by the Shura Council in December, 2013 which excluded a controversial clause that barred expatriates from driving unless their jobs required it.

The law's penalty system point is similar to the demerit points system operated in the UK that results in drivers getting points on their licences for offences such as speeding, drink driving, jumping red lights and being at fault in a traffic accident.

If people accumulate 12 points in three years they can then be disqualified from driving.

Traffic authorities say the new law will empower policemen to crack down on dangerous driving, which is causing carnage on Bahrain's roads.

Statistics showed that road accidents have claimed the lives of 175 people over the past two years. - TradeArabia News Service