Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



ON WHEELS: Find your flow in Cairo's traffic
Published in Daily News Egypt on 17 - 09 - 2008

CAIRO: Poets and artists may compare road networks to a web of intersecting watercourses: rivers branching off into creeks. Some are serene while others are turbulent. In places like Tokyo or Toronto, traffic is smooth even during rush hour. Other cities are reputed for their hellish traffic - and Cairo is on top of that list.
In the bustling, fast-paced metropolis, traffic can seem chaotic to outsiders, but Cairenes make sense of the flow of cars, carts, bikes and pedestrians to maneuver through the congested city.
These drivers know that besides the unreliable traffic lights and incomprehensible signs, there are unwritten road rules - or maybe it is a sixth sense one acquires with time.
Some are too lazy to signal before turning or changing lanes, assuming that the person behind them will know they intend to turn left as soon as the car starts to veer in that direction. Rearview and side mirrors may seem like superfluous accessories: Why should you look at the car behind you as long as they can see you and you see the person in front?
If by chance you make a careless maneuver, other drivers are considerate enough to let you know with a loud honk of their horns. Hey, as long the engine works enough to move the vehicle forward and the horn is loud enough to pierce ears, you have all you need to drive in Cairo - doors, seats, brakes and mirrors are optional.
Sarcasm aside, these driving habits lead to fatal road accidents. According to the World Health Organization, traffic accidents in Egypt cause around 6,000 deaths and more than 26,000 injuries every year. That's an average of 16 deaths and 71 injured a day.
The three main causes of accidents are human errors, vehicle failure or unsuitable environment (including weather, road conditions, visibility, etc.). In most cases, the driver is at fault: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, falling asleep at the wheel, using a mobile phone, reckless overtaking.
Cairo's streets can be safer if drivers follow some responsible habits: Adjust tire pressure frequently, heed the speed limit, keep a distance between you and the car in front of you, take the wheel awake and drug-free, and remember that the open road is not a Formula 1 racetrack. Stuntmen carry out action sequences in movies and car chases are choreographed with a full rescue team standing by.
Because the streets are teeming with pedestrians, potholes, and different kinds of vehicles, drivers in Egypt should always be alert. A large bus can suddenly swerve right to let off a passenger, a slow-moving donkey cart can appear from behind a passing truck, the car in front of you can stop short or you can be overtaken by a truck carrying cows.
Many are hopeful that the new traffic law will help put things in order and force people to abide by driving rules by enforcing large fines and possible prison sentences on careless drivers. Others are skeptical that it will decrease the number of accidents on the road, saying that it is more likely to raise bribes to soaring records. Regardless of how effective it may be, motorists should always drive carefully!
To read the other stories in our monthly special focus on Egypt s automotive sector, click here:
http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=16538
http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=16537
http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=16536


Clic here to read the story from its source.