CSWE III

MODULE A LEARNING OUTCOME 1 Can understand a spoken information text

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington, DC 20520

Consular Information Sheet

Kuwait
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may find road conditions are different from those in the United States. The information below about Kuwait is provided for general reference only, and may not be true in a particular location or circumstance. Driving in Kuwait is hazardous. Although Kuwait has a big and modern system of well-lit roads, driving too fast on both primary and secondary roads, (as well as lax enforcement of traffic rules and too many cars: one vehicle for every 2.8 residents), leads to frequent and often fatal accidents. Too many people driving too fast causes too many deaths on Kuwaiti roads. In 2003 there were 45,376 reported car accidents and 372 traffic-accident-related deathsan increase over the previous year. The average age of death was between 21 and 30 years. Over 950,000 cars are registered in Kuwait. The government-owned Kuwait Public Transportation Company operates bus services throughout the Kuwait City metropolitan area on 50 different routes and is widely used by the poorer expatriate labor force. Two types of taxi service are available: (1) orange taxis work a fixed route and pick up passengers anywhere along that route and may be shared, and (2) call-taxis are available at major hotels and pick up passengers at other locations upon telephonic request. Unaccompanied women should not use taxis after dark.
/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/169451496.doc Prepared by Andrew James 2005

CSWE III

MODULE A LEARNING OUTCOME 1 Can understand a spoken information text

Visitors can use international driving permits issued by their respective countries within the time limit of their visas; however, the visitor must have insurance. It is illegal to drive in Kuwait without a license and car registration documents. If you are stopped and cannot produce them, you may be taken to a police station and held until someone can bring them for the police to check. If you are in an accident, Kuwaiti law mandates that you must remain at the scene until the police arrive. The use of seatbelts in the front seats is mandatory in Kuwait. Driving is on the right side of the road. Speed limit signs are easy to see. Making a right turn on a red light is not permitted unless there is a special lane to do so with a yield sign. A yield sign means you must give way. Parking is not allowed where the curb is painted black and yellow. Digital cameras for registering traffic violations, including speeding, are in use on Kuwaiti roads. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense, which may result in fines, imprisonment, and/or deportation. Repeat traffic violations or violations of a serious nature may also result in the deportation of an expatriate offender. When a driver flashes his/her high beams in Kuwait, it is meant as a request to move your car into a slower lane to allow the driver with the flashing beams to proceed ahead. Kuwait has one of the highest rates of cellular telephone ownership per capita in the world, and using one while driving remains legal. Local emergency service organizations may be contacted by dialing 777. Ambulance crews do not respond as quickly as in the United States and are often not trained paramedics.

U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet Kuwait [online] http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_944.html Accessed: 13/09/05

/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/169451496.doc Prepared by Andrew James 2005

CSWE III

MODULE A LEARNING OUTCOME 1 Can understand a spoken information text

Questions 1. Were there more car accidents in 2003 in Kuwait, than in 2002? Tick yes or no.

Yes

No

2. Who owns the Kuwait Public Transport Company? 3. What is the first type of taxi mentioned? 4. What kind of route do the orange taxis work? . 5. Name ONE document you must carry when driving in Kuwait. . 6. What could happen if you cannot show your drivers license or registration documents to the police? . 7. What should you do if a driver flashes his high-beam lights when driving behind you? ..

/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/169451496.doc Prepared by Andrew James 2005

CSWE III

MODULE A LEARNING OUTCOME 1 Can understand a spoken information text

Answers 1. Were there more car accidents in 2003 in Kuwait, than in 2002? Tick yes or no.

Yes

No

2. Who owns the Kuwait Public Transport Company? The Kuwait Government 3. What is the first type of taxi mentioned? Orange 4. What kind of route do the orange taxis work? A fixed route 5. Name ONE document you must carry when driving in Kuwait. License; car registration; 6. What could happen if you cannot show your drivers license or registration documents to the police? Taken to a police station 7. What should you do if a driver flashes his high-beam lights when driving behind you? Move over; move to a slower lane; let the other driver pass

/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/169451496.doc Prepared by Andrew James 2005