Will chaotic traffic improve after the new traffic law? Reem Leila stands at the crossroads While signifying the same thing in most parts of the world, traffic lights, car signals, zebra crossings, footbridges and road signs mean different things to different people in Egypt -- and most other developing countries. But many hope that this will soon change when a new traffic law is enforced on 1 August. In a city where rush hour starts at 7am and can last until midnight, a toxic combination of pedestrians and drivers equally ignorant or negligent of basic road protocol can only result in Cairo traffic mayhem. There are 6,000 road fatalities and 26,000 injuries resulting from 29,000 car accidents annually in Egypt, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). But human suffering does not end there; for every crash victim, family members, friends and communities must cope with the physical, psychological and economic consequences of a death, injury or disability. While many doubt the effectiveness of the new regulations in dealing with Egypt's festering traffic malaise, Interior Ministry officials are adamant in enforcing the law. They even believe that the transformation in traffic conditions will showcase how developing countries can apply global best practices. "The law will be firmly and mercilessly enforced in order to accomplish drastic improvement in the traffic situation," confirmed Major General Sherif Gomaa, assistant to the interior minister. "We have set high fines for traffic penalties to prevent people from breaking traffic laws once and for all." The ministry has also taken several steps to ensure the proper enforcement of the law. Dozens of mobile speed radars fixed on 4x4 vehicles will be dispersed along highways, ring roads and main streets; hundreds of high-tech motorcycles will be combing the streets to maintain discipline and help enforce new regulations; cameras connected to the ministry's central and subsidiary operation rooms will go up in streets and squares to capture traffic law violators, taking pictures of the car plate and violation. "The objective of this law is to initiate action to achieve long-lasting solutions for road safety," asserted Gomaa. His ministry will also utilise new methods in identifying drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Instead of confiscating the driver's licence and sending them to the hospital for a blood test, a breathaliser will be used on site. Since last month, the ministry's Public Traffic Authority (PTA) and various NGOs distributed more than 10,000 guides and 20,000 flyers to drivers on highways with high traffic density. Meanwhile, a media campaign on television and radio focussed on raising people's awareness about the new regulations. At the same time, traffic police attended training sessions to educate them on the new regulations and how to enforce them. This week, vehicles with advertising screens also began cruising the streets of Cairo and the North Coast to raise awareness. The new law prohibits the renewal of taxi car licences and other passenger transportation vehicles which were manufactured more than 20 years ago. Owners are given a grace period of three years to replace these vehicles. PTA Chief Major General Mohamed Mansour suggested that these cars can be converted into private vehicles or sold as junk. In coordination with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Interior has established a fund to finance the replacement process. Each taxi owner will be given a LE15,000 loan to help him buy a new vehicle after selling the old one. "We did not write these new laws to punish people," explained Mansour. "On the contrary, they are for their own benefit since now transportation will be much safer. We are not trying to burden the public; the government will assist taxi owners in replacing their cars or compensating them. Other requirements stipulated by the new law are a First Aid kit, an anti-reflection 'stop triangle' and a fire extinguisher in the trunk. Violators will be subject to an immediate fine of LE50 or the confiscation of the driver's licence for a period not less than one month. Major General Serag Zaghloul, head of Cairo PTA, described the contents of the First Aid kit. It must include cotton, scissors, a bottle of antiseptic, a first aid booklet, a variety of sterilised gauze, medical gloves, a special Vaseline sheet for burns, a flashlight, ice bag activated when rubbed, three bandage roles, two plaster roles and a special bandage for bone fractures. These elaborate kits must come in carriers which are resistant to rust, are easy to clean and carry, have compartments on the inside, and are clearly marked in Arabic on the outside. Some 5,000 kits are currently available on the market, and specialised medical companies will supply more at pharmacies and outlets near traffic units. The price range will be between LE60 and LE75 per kit, while the cost of the anti-reflection triangles ranges between LE15 and LE90. If the car breaks down, the triangle must be placed 10 metres away from the car, and drivers should not depend on the triangle placed on the inside of some car trunks, added Zaghloul. The Ministry of Interior has already launched inspection campaigns to remove all chains, barrels, plant pots, car tires or any other obstacles placed to reserve parking spots or block part of the road. Violators will be imprisoned for a period not more than one year and/or a fine ranging between LE1,000 and LE3,000. Citizens who do this, according to Zaghloul, impede traffic flow by narrowing the street and causing congestion. Parliament approved the finalised traffic law last month, following amendments which triggered heated debates for over two months. "The amendments were made to make the law applicable to contemporary Egypt," explained Zaghloul, "a law passed in 1973 cannot be applied in 2008."
