Libyan Traffic Law Between Text and Application: A Critical Review of Law No. (11) of 1984 and Its Amendments

Abstract:
This study aims to analyze and critically examine Libyan Traffic Law No. (11) of 1984 and its amendments, and to identify the gap between its provisions and their practical application. The research problem lies in assessing the effectiveness of the legislation in reducing traffic accidents and identifying the obstacles to its implementation that hinder the achievement of its objectives. The study adopts a critical analytical approach to the legal provisions, a descriptive approach to statistics, and a comparative approach to benefit from similar experiences. The sample included judicial rulings, administrative reports, and official statistics for the years 2015–2024. The study found legislative shortcomings in keeping pace with recent developments, weak monitoring mechanisms, overlapping jurisdictions, and a lack of professional training programs. It recommends a comprehensive review of the law, strengthening modern monitoring technologies, activating surveillance cameras, developing training programs for traffic enforcement officers, and establishing a unified database. The study concludes that effective enforcement of traffic legislation requires political and institutional will to bridge the gap between legal provisions and their practical application.