Bahraini driver who killed motorcyclist after jumping red light to pay BD30,000 compensation

TDT | Manama                                                                            

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini man who drove through a red light, leaving a cyclist dead on the road, had been ordered by the Court to pay the victim's family BD30,000. The High Civil Court ordered the Bahraini man and his insurance company to pay the fine jointly.

The verdict overturns an earlier judgment that awarded the suspect three months in jail and a lighter fine of BD1,000, which the victim's family challenged in a Civil Court. The victim's family had demanded BD50,000 in compensation from the suspect.

Court files say the man, who jumped the traffic signal, was charged with the manslaughter of the motorcycle rider, who died on the spot after sustaining severe head injuries.

The victim is survived by a son and wife.

Accidents claim 1.3 million lives a year

According to the World Health Organisation, every year, lives of approximately 1.3 million people are cut short from road traffic crash.

Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability from their injury. Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and nations.

Road traffic crashes cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product. More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.