Kuwait Warnings Or Dangers

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It would be a severe understatement to say that driving in Kuwait can pose severe challenges to even the most experienced driver. The rate of traffic accidents per 1000 drivers is extremely high. The worst part of it is that the fatality rate is likely a multiple of most Western countries. While I was in Kuwait, five people were killed when a driver lost control of his vehicle during a street race and plowed into spectators. Notices of traffic deaths appeared in the paper every couple of days. Worst of all, the parking lots in front of police stations are generally filled with smashed up vehicles. Visitors do manage to drive in Kuwait, but the key is really to drive defensively. Police will generally not enforce speed rules or traffic laws, so the best advice is to watch out for yourself and to go with the flow of traffic. Young drivers have a tendency to hotrod and road rage, so cutting someone off or trying to race a light can have extremely unwelcome results.

really boring if you planing to stay longer as there is really nothing to do. Saw beautiful coastline with nice beach but EMPTY. Anybody that fancies a drink WARNING - There is NONE and dont try to get any as you will end up in jail! Not even a drop even in duty free :)

New adjectives are needed to describe the terrible standard of driving here. Every day I see dangerous and reckless driving putting people's lives at risk, and it is all so unnecessary! On the 30/40 Roads or the Ring Roads, I have seen more serious wrecks in 3 months than in literally years elsewhere. The following are common: tailgating, excessive/reckless speed, lane weaving often at high speed, not using indicators, running red lights, not using seatbelts - it is normal to see kids climbing all over the back and front seats, standing in the front passenger footwell, hanging way out of windows or with heads out of sunroofs, and babies/small kids on the driver's lap. It's easier to count drivers wearing seatbelts than those who are not. Talking on cell phones while driving is standard, and no joke you even see texting while driving. Also, pulling out without looking or using mirrors, driving on the emergency lane/hard shoulder to avoid traffic queues, and aggressive harrassment of other drivers through flashing headlights or even attempting to nudge them over. The list could go on. A lot of cars have bangs/dents/scratches because few owners bother to get them repaired as they will just get banged up again, and I am told insurance companies here are a nightmare. Roundabouts can be chaotic, with cars joining feeling they have at least equal right of way as those on the roundabout. Lane markings are merely decorative for some, and pedestrian crossings without traffic lights are irrelevant. Patience is not a word you will find in a dictionary here. If it is all too much and you are rich enough, employ a driver if you live here, or alternatively find a decent taxi driver and stick with him. If you are visiting, don't rent a car unless you enjoy stress. You need to drive super-defensively and anticipate that other drivers will do exactly what common sense and traffic laws dictate they should NOT do, because they rarely disappoint you on that!

I haven't gone off roading here, but I hear to take caution when doing so. It appears that there's a lot of unexploded ordinance left over from the previous war. There was actually a fatality the first week or so here from some person driving somewhere in the desert.

When in Kuwait be ware of KIM Center at the Hilton Hotel as the owner is not an honest person. While in Phuket, Thailnad he purchased an underwater video camera and left the country without paying for it. He is a thief and a liar. For more information contact me at n2maps@hotmail.com

though kuwait is not as strict as some muslim countries its a good idea to dress discreetly and not show off too much skin. Tshirts are fine but singlets for women should not be worn unless you want unwanted attention.

At no time let anyone disappear to process your credit card. All of the banks in Kuwait have wireless machines to process your card. Anyone should swipe your card in front of you and get you to sign there and then, without your card leaving your sight. Credit Card Fraud in Kuwait is common, with shop and restuarant employees particularly targetting foreign visitors. If you can use cash as much as possible.

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If you find yourself driving in Kuwait, the following rules of the road are useful to know: Someone coming up behind you will flash their lights meaning get out of the way. They assume that you know this and will move so do not slow down from driving at 180kms an hour. If you do not get out of the way they will either hang on to your bumper 2 inches away or get it wrong and rear end you. When you see someone flashing just get out of the way as soon as possible. There is no fast lane all the lanes can be multi purpose fast and slow lanes with faster drivers weaving across all the lanes of the road. People do not giveway to people joining a main road, so stop and wait for a gap, don't assume someone will let you out. People do not understand queuing or merging and will dive in at acute angles, be ready to stop. If you let someone in, eight cars will then try and squeeze in front of you. Speed limits are optional, everyone knows where the handfull of speed cameras are and when out of sight drive like madmen. Use defensive driving to get out of everyone's way, that is the easiest way to stay safe.