MANAMA: Cars entering Bahrain will need to be insured according to a new bill that is currently being reviewed by authorities here.
Lawmakers have submitted a bill stipulating special insurance for vehicles entering Bahrain. This will also affect people from neighboring countries who visit Bahrain on weekend. The bill, which is being reviewed by the Chamber of Deputies, is designed to provide safety to citizens from neighboring countries when traveling to Bahrain.
A copy of the bill, obtained by Arab News, states the insurance scheme would primarily cover accidents. The Bahraini press regularly report accidents, some fatal, involving Saudi nationals.
According to figures released by traffic officials in 2007, 159 fatal accidents involving Saudi drivers were recorded.
“Every driver has to be insured for their safety. In this case, we are working on mechanisms with banks and insurance companies for a special insurance for vehicles,” said Khalil Marzooq, a member of the Bahraini Parliament.
He added that the need of the hour was that all Gulf states should set up a mechanism to insure their citizens at an affordable cost. Marzooq said a memorandum of understanding between the Gulf Cooperation Council would be a step closer for passing the bill.
