168 CultureShock! Egypt
Important New Traffi c Regulations
‘Bulletin! Egyptian driving patterns to change!’ Sure, you
say! Well, I don’t believe it either, especially anywhere
outside the downtown city areas or maybe near certain
checkpoints. Egypt is a world leader in auto accidents.
Consider road conditions hazardous anywhere outside the
main cities. People drive fast at night with no headlights,
through blowing sand, while weaving among the occasional
donkey cart with no markings meandering down the
motorway. In the past, going where you wanted, when you
wanted, and how you wanted was normal Egyptian driving
practice. To give credit where credit is due, the government
recognises the magnitude of Egyptian traffic morbidity
and mortality.
Responding to numerous horrific traffic accidents, the
People’s Assembly passed stringent new traffic laws in January- Sounds like a good move that will make a difference.
In fact, the new law did not seem to make much difference
to traffic fatalities. A report published in 2008 stated that the
average death toll for traffic accidents in Egypt was 7,300,
up from 6,000 in 2002. Over two-thirds of accidents can be
attributed to driver negligence, the remaining to mechanical
failure and poor road conditions. Alcohol and drug abuse
account for some of the worst accidents. Although the law
has been in effect for several years, traffic deaths are still
out of control because implementing the law is a problem.
Egyptians’ flagrant disregard for traffic laws and lack of
respect for traffic police is the main reason why the law is
ignored. Things are looking up though! Over 6,000 tickets
were issued in Cairo in a two-day period during the first week
of January 2001. In response, seat belt prices skyrocketed.
New Law Penalties
Under the new law, substantial penalties apply to the following:
failure of drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts
failure to wear a motorcycle helmet
using mobile phones without a hands-free set while driving
driving under the infl uence of alcohol or drugs.