Bahrain Councillors Urge Speed Cameras and Patrols to Stop Illegal Highway Racing

Bahraini officials have been urged to introduce speed cameras and civilian traffic patrols to deter motorists from using the Khalifa Bin Salman Highway near Hamad Town as an illegal racetrack.

Proposed Measures to Curb Illegal Racing

The move follows complaints from residents living close to the highway who say they are kept awake by the loud roar of modified car engines.

Eastern Hamad Town councillor Abdulla Shareeda Al Thawadi warned that the disturbance is especially severe when modified vehicles speed through the tunnels close to Roundabouts 6 and 14, where the enclosed structure amplifies engine noise and disrupts the peace of nearby neighbourhoods.

The proposal, put forward by Mr Al Thawadi together with three fellow councillors, has been sent to the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister, Wael Al Mubarak, with the request that it be passed on to the Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, for review.

Mr Al Thawadi said the issue is not merely about speeding on a major highway; it also concerns the effect of reckless driving on families living near the busy route.

He said, “Residents should not have to put up with the roar of racing cars late at night when they are trying to sleep,”

He added, “The tunnels near Roundabouts 6 and 14 appear to make the noise even louder when modified cars pass through them. We need effective measures to stop motorists from turning this highway into a racing track.”

Mr Al Thawadi said that cameras would help authorities identify and penalise offenders, while civilian traffic patrols could serve as an additional deterrent by catching drivers who engage in dangerous behaviour.

He stressed that the objective is to protect residents’ peace and quiet while improving road safety for all road users.

Councillors’ Warnings About Noise and Safety

The proposal was also signed by Dr Mohsin Abdulla, chairman of the Northern Municipal Council’s financial, administrative and legislative committee, who backed the call for stronger enforcement against motorists disturbing residential neighbourhoods.

Dr Abdulla said the issue calls for practical action to ensure that major roads are not misused by drivers seeking thrills at the expense of others’ comfort and safety.

He supported the proposed monitoring measures as a way to help authorities identify violations and hold offenders accountable, especially during late‑night hours when residents are more sensitive to noise.

Highway Details and Call for Coordination

The Khalifa Bin Salman Highway in the early minutes of sunlight

The Khalifa Bin Salman Highway runs as a major artery from the Seef Mall area to the University of Bahrain campus in Sakhir, traversing a long stretch of the country and serving motorists travelling between key urban and educational destinations.

Although the highway is built to handle large volumes of traffic, councillors say its tunnels must not turn into gathering spots for motorists whose modified vehicles and high‑speed driving disturb nearby communities.

The proposal calls for better coordination among the relevant ministries to strengthen monitoring and enforcement, with councillors hoping that cameras and targeted patrols will end the late‑night disturbances.

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