The Protected Interest in Traffic Offenses According to Law No. 8 of 2019

Traffic offenses are one of the most common types of crime worldwide, with victims of such crimes being the most numerous among all forms of criminality. These offenses pose a threat to human life, property, physical integrity, and the well-being of families. This research aims to clarify the goal the Iraqi legislator sought to achieve through the legal provisions pertaining to traffic crimes under the current law. It examines the criminalization of certain actions, which serve to protect rights that might be at risk or harmed due to these offenses. The research also discusses the concept of a "protected interest" in the context of traffic crimes. The importance of the study lies in its focus on the legal and scientific aspects of safeguarding both public and private interests through traffic regulation and accident prevention. The Iraqi Traffic Law, as currently enforced, covers both regulatory and preventive measures and is not limited to traffic-related crimes. The protection of human life, physical safety, and property from traffic risks is one of the key legal interests safeguarded by this law. The research is structured into two main parts: the first part discusses the essence of the protected interest in traffic crimes, while the second part addresses the protected interest within the legal structure of traffic offenses by analyzing its provisions and identifying the objectives intended by the Iraqi legislator when enacting this law.