to veer out and cut you off at inopportune moments.
Look out for pedestrians and cyclists who will invariably cross or swerve in front of you.
Approaching towns, roads are often busy with people (including groups of schoolchildren),
bicycles, horse and carts, donkeys and so on.
Desert In the hammada (stony desert), tar roads sometimes disappear without warning,
replaced by stretches of sand, gravel and potholes. If a strong chergui (dry, easterly desert
wind) is blowing and carrying a lot of dust, you’ll have to wait until it eases off if you don’t want
to do your car considerable damage.
Mountains Crossing the mountain ranges in winter often involves driving through snow and ice.
The High Atlas passes are often closed due to snow in winter. Seek local advice before
travelling, or check the road signs along the routes out of Marrakesh.
Medinas Entering cities and towns, park outside the medina or find out if the route to your
accommodation is easily driveable, as narrow medina streets weren’t designed for cars.
Minor roads Many minor roads are too narrow for normal vehicles to pass without going onto
the shoulder. It’s better to slow down and steer the car’s right-hand wheels onto the dirt than to
try squeezing the vehicle along the road proper. The road surface often has jagged edges,
which can cause punctures. Stones thrown up from the road edges by oncoming vehicles
present a danger for windscreens.
Night Driving at night is particularly hazardous: it’s legal for vehicles travelling under 20km/h to
drive without lights.
Pistes Some pistes can be negotiated in an ordinary car with reasonable clearance, such as a
Dacia Logan, but many are 4WD territory only. Whatever vehicle you have, the going will be
slow. Many stretches of mountain piste are impassable in bad weather: Michelin map No 742
(formerly No 959) generally has these sections marked.
Preparation Always ask locals about road conditions before setting off on a journey, check
your tyres, and take a usable spare plus an adequate supply of water and petrol.
Road Rules
» » In Morocco you drive on the right hand-side of the road.
» » In towns, give way to traffic entering a roundabout from the right when you’re already on
one.
» » The fine for missing a red stop sign is Dh700.
» » The speed limit in built-up areas is 40km/h.
» » Outside the towns there is a national speed limit of 100km/h, rising to 120km/h on the
motorways.
» » Road signs implore drivers to follow the law and wear seatbelts, but in practice few people
do, preferring instead to place their trust in Allah. Following suit leaves you open to fines, so do
belt up.
» » Tolls apply on the motorways – for example, Rabat–Tangier is about Dh60 and Rabat–
Casablanca is Dh20. You take a ticket upon entering the motorway and pay at the end.
» » In the event of an accident, especially involving injuries, drivers are officially required to
remain at the scene. Vehicles cannot be moved until the police have arrived – this may take
hours.
» » Pick up a constat amiable form in case you have an accident (Click here ).