Surviving Traffic and the New Traffic Law in Egypt
By Malak Kira
Egypt is famous for its bizarre traffic behavior, in which traffic laws are distained. An estimated 6,000 people are killed each year in car accidents and 30,000 are injured. The new traffic law, that was recently issued, is aimed at dispelling the chaos that is happening in Egypt's roads. But will the government officials actually enforce the law, or will this law be another government failure to help solve the traffic problem?
Under the new regulations, those caught double parking will have their drivers licenses confiscated.
Not wearing a seatbelt or talking on a mobile phone subjects you to a fine of LE 300, while driving in the wrong direction means a fine of LE 3,000.
Waiting in a no-parking zone will result in the confiscation of the driver's license for at least one month. It is also mandatory for drivers to turn their cars lights on at night.
Drivers are required to have a first aid kit and a reflective warning triangle, which used to cost LE 10 and now costs LE 75. It is not reasonable or affordable for a taxi driver to buy a reflective warning triangle for LE 75.
In Egypt, there is a general problem of enforcing the law. A few years ago, the government forced all drivers to wear seat belts. Almost all Egyptians pull their seat belts over themselves when seeing a police officer on the street, and they release it right after he passes. Our main problem is that people do not take the law seriously. It even gets to the point that some laws have already lost their credibility.
In order for the law to apply, there has to be a change in the policemen's behavior first. The government has to raise the wages of the policemen in order for them not to accept any bribes from the drivers or nothing will ever change.
People have to understand that the law is not benefitting the government in anyway or the other. This law is designed for people’s safety; therefore, they have to obey the traffic law in order to save their lives.
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