Kurdistan Traffic Directorate Imposes Financial Fines for Littering in Streets

The Traffic Directorate in the Kurdistan Region announced the imposition of a financial fine of 40,000 dinars for throwing waste and garbage on roads and streets by drivers or passengers. The directorate stated that the decision was issued based on an official letter from the Ministry of Interior and a cabinet decision, and that the instructions prohibit the driver or passenger while the vehicle is moving or stopped from throwing any type of waste or garbage on roads and streets, to preserve the environment and cleanliness of the Kurdistan Region. It explained that the financial fine of 40,000 dinars will be imposed on every violation committed by the car or motorcycle in which the violation occurred. It confirmed that the fine will be added to all violation recording systems, including PDA devices and speed and monitoring cameras. It added that the traffic officer has the authority to impose the fine directly upon witnessing the violation, or upon receiving documented video clips from citizens sent to the traffic directorates' platforms. The directorate called on citizens to cooperate in protecting the environment, refrain from throwing waste and garbage, and report violators by sending photos and video clips.