Due to the size and existing intrastructure of Bahrain, public transportation's benefit has been very limited. Most people in Bahrain prefer to drive their own automobile as opposed to riding the bus. Taxi's have been received with mixed feelings as the issue of overcharging or meter not being used by some cab drivers still prevails to this day. As a result, there has been an increase in traffic over the past few years (and with that congestion and accidents).

 So if you have decided on renting a car and driving it around in Bahrain, here's what you must consider to stay safe and away from trouble:

Quick Points:

  1. All cars must be legally registered and insured.
  2. All drivers must carry a driver's license (International driving license required for visitors).
  3. Wear your seat belts.
  4. Respect the speed limit.
  5. Do not cross any red lights.
  6. No drinking and driving. (The slightest smell of alcohol on your breath is enough to get you arrested)
    - So please assign a designated driver or call a cab. Don't ruin your vacation!

These are some brief points that could prevent you from being prosecuted (according to the General Directorate of Traffic website)

Traffic Police

Unlike other countries where the police force is tasked with "protecting and serving" all citizens in all kinds of issues, in Bahrain traffic police is separated from public safety. Local name is "shurtat Almuroor" which is shortened to "muroor" meaning traffic. You can tell the difference between the two groups by the stripe color on their cars/bikes and the outfits. Traffic police is usually identified by a red stripe on their white vehicles and a matching white uniform (with black pants, sometimes white). Public Safety police have blue stripes on their white vehicles (mostly Toyota LandCruisers or some other form of 4x4) and are dressed in light green.

Traffic Police bike Traffic police car

  

General Directorate of Traffic

Basics

  1. Bahrainis drive on the right-hand of the road (unlike UK) 
  2. A majority of traffic lights on main roads/highways have road sensor behind the white line, so always make sure your car stops behind the white line to get a green light (specially during late hours where you're the only car in a 4-way intersection)
  3. Some long stretches of road will eventually end with a traffic light and an accompanying speed camera. 
    E.g. [Camera placed Southbound on Fateh Avenue, AlFateh mosque intersection]   [Northbound on Fateh Avenue, Diplomat Radisson Hotel intersection]   [Heading West on Sheikh Khalifa Road, Tubli intersection (Map of Bahrain Statue / Past the U.S. Embassy)]
  4. Intersection marked diagonally with yellow markings (referred to as yellow squares) should not be crossed if exits/turns are blocked due to congestion (even if there is a green light). Reason for this being that if a few cars enter the intersection, but can't leave it due to congestion then other roads at the intersection would be affected by the stuck cars.
  5. Pay attention to the painted arrows on each lane, as they indicate which directions are possible from your current lane.
    (e.g. 2-lane road. Right lane has arrow pointing straight and right. Left lane has arrow pointing only left.)
  6. Respect lane boundaries and don't drive with a third of your car on one lane, and the rest on another.
  7. Hoping you don't have one, but in case you get into an accident
       *   Call traffic police (199) if it is a minor accident (fender bender / bumper to bumper) with no injuries.
       *   If the vehicles are operational, you will have to drive to a nearby traffic police center, where officers will inspect the
           damage and write up a report for the insurance company / car rental service. A fee is usually associated with this.
       *   Call emergency services (999) - if there is a fire, vehicle toppled/flipped over, or serious bodily harm.
       *   It might be useful to call your consulate / hotel / friends & family to inform them of the situation

Warnings

  1. Always use your signals to indicate where you are going to turn.
  2. Use "Danger" (a.k.a. Double Signal) to indicate immediate stopping or hazard ahead (such as an accident, or obstacle in the middle of the street.)
  3. Be cautious on weekends (Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday) as there are lots of crazy drivers (from neighbouring countries) who are not familiar with the traffic laws, or worse - people who try to apply their own country's rules abroad!
  4. Keep a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you.
  5. Don't force your way through or endanger others. If you've missed a turn or exit, just continue straight and ask for directions on how to get back (at a traffic light)
  6. Without being too racist/discriminant - watch out for Saudi drivers, taxis, 18-wheelers and the like.
    (These are renowned for being the worst drivers in Bahrain)

Headlights / Signal lights / Horns (Other uses)

You might be thinking, "other uses?" - yes. Driving is sometimes a social game. Full of requests, taunts, warnings, and thank yous.

 Aside from their main purpose, headlights have the following use:

  1. When signalling for a turn, if you see somebody flash you with the headlights (as in turning on the full beams real quick) - this is usually an indication that the other driver is allowing you to pass.
  2. If encountered with the same situation when you are driving on the left lane of a highway and the flash comes from the car that is behind you. This is usually a request to make way. The left lane is considered the "fast lane", with slower vehicles relegated to the middle and right lanes (the slower you are, the more to the right lane you should be). Expect to see a lot of heavy vehicles and old/slow cars on the right lane. You should give way, since relatively speaking you are slower than the incoming car that's behind you. However, do this in a careful manner by checking your mirrors and signalling to the right.

 Signal lights have the following use (other than signalling):

  1. If you are requesting that a person make way and he signals to the left (even though there is no turn in sight), understand that the other driver is telling you that he is holding this lane despite his realtively slow speed in order to make an eventual turn.
  2. After giving way or making room for somebody to change lanes, especially when the other driver wants to enter your lane - you may be briefly shown a "Danger"/Double signal. This is a sign of gratitude, a quick "thanks" if you will. Pay attention to the situation and whether it warranted such a gesture. If there was no curteous act committed, then there's probably a good reason to slam on the brakes!

 Horns have the following uses:

  1. Long horns are usually full warnings - so listen carefully and use them to warn other drivers.
  2. Short horn sounds can be considered as minor warnings (You are about to cross a perpendicular 2-way street and turn left into the second street, a driver may see the front of your car and give a slight warning to indicate that he is close.)
  3. If someone from oncoming traffic is given permission to turn (via headlights), you may be thanked using a short horn (and a wave of the hand).
  4. Taxis are known to honk at "potential" customers (then again, potential customer is anyone without a car/bike), so don't be alarmed if a short horn sounds when your driving or walking by.
  5. Repeated horn sounds - whether double (beep-beep), triple (beep-beep-beeeeeeeeep), or constant (no need to explain this one) can be associated with impatience. Sound is made to urge the people in front to move on. Double/Triple beeps are usually used at roundabouts and traffic lights if someone is taking too long to move. Constant repeated beeps are indicative of a traffic jam (refer to yellow square)

Roundabouts

Bahrain is starting to phase out most of the problematic roundabouts, as they have been a source of major accidents and traffic jams. Some of these are being replaced by 2/3/4-way intersections. However, there is no guarantee that all roundabouts will be eliminated.

 How to drive in roundabouts:

  1. Some countries give right of way to traffic entering the roundabout (like Beirut). Bahrain however, gives right of way to people INSIDE the roundabout. You will notice the "Give Way" traffic signs at all roundabouts.
  2. Certain roundabouts will have traffic lights placed at them. So even if there are no cars inside the roundabout, you cannot enter if the traffic light is red. Same goes for traffic lights INSIDE the roundabout.
  3. Pay attention to the ground arrows as most roundabouts connect 4 to 6 routes (in a 4-way roundabout, one is your route and the rest are considered exits)
  4. As a general guideline, if you want to turn right or head straight (12-6 o'clock / directional) hold the right lane.
  5. If you want to turn left or go back the way you came (6-12 o'clock / directional) hold the left lane.
  6. Middle lane is usually reserved for straight and left exits. (Applicable to 3-lane roads, 2-lanes only have left/right) 
  7. If for some reason you miss your exit, DON'T PANIC. Make another round on the roundabout and attempt it the second time.
  8. WATCH OUT, for people on the right lane attempting to make a left when you're in the middle lane and trying to go straight.
    (refer to #7)