Yea, for me too. I’ve gotten a little too used to bending the laws of the road just cause I am not one of the worst offenders. A kind friend sent me this email of warning, seeing how VERY Jordanian I have become on the streets:
About two weeks ago, the government approved and enforced a tough new Law regarding traffic violations trying to control the increasing number of accidents.
I am listing below the most important fines.
Traffic policemen have instructions to be (mean). Instead of issuing a ticket, they hold the car’s registration and the driver’s license. The driver will need to check in at the police station in the next working day. He will later be transferred, along with other drivers escorted by a policeman, to court. The judge will later pass the sentence.
|
Category |
Amount of fine in |
Remarks |
|
Parking in a no – parking zone |
30 |
|
|
Not using the seat belt while driving |
50 |
|
|
Using the cell phone while driving |
50 |
|
|
Eating, drinking, smoking …etc. while driving |
50 |
|
|
Baby in front seats |
50 |
|
|
Not making a complete stop at the stop sign |
50 |
|
|
Driving a Jordanian car with a foreign driving license |
150 |
Plus 1 – 4 weeks prison or both |
|
Hit and Run |
250 |
Plus 1 – 3 months prison or both |
|
Crossing a red light |
250 |
Plus 1 – 3 months prison or both |
|
Driving against the traffic in a one way street |
250 |
Plus 1 – 3 months prison or both |
|
Driving under the influence of Alcohol |
500 |
3 – 6 months prison or both |
|
Driving without a license |
500 |
3 – 6 months prison or both |
|
Exceeding the speed limit with 1 – 10 Km per hour |
50 |
|
|
Exceeding the speed limit with 10 – 20 Km per hour |
100 |
|
|
Exceeding the speed limit with 20 – 30 Km per hour |
150 |
Plus 1 – 3 months prison or both |
|
Exceeding the speed limit with 30 – 40 Km per hour |
200 |
Plus 1 – 3 months prison or both |
|
Exceeding the speed limit with over 40 Km per hour |
250 |
Plus 3 – 6 months prison and withdrawal of license, either both or all. |
WOW I AM IMPRESSED. Very glad about the child in the front seat rule, very sad I can’t eat in the car. Malesh, kinda like Ramadan all year around. Jordan is going to become a VERY rich country. Don’t back down, GAM, good on ya.
Let’s see how well they enforce those laws. I sure hope they do!
WOW!! is that in Jordan?? really?? i guess drivers have to start watching out, cuz i i see, this is serious!!
yalla good luck and drive safe everyone
Ziad, yes, I have seen cars pulled over consistently in the last few days…and instead of the driver intimidating the police, the police are doing the intimidation.
Mai, yes ma’am, hoena! Yes, seriously serious. Makes me crazy to see a mom zipping along, weaving around in traffic as she talks on the phone gesticulating with her driving hand; with her toddles flying all over the front and back of the SUV. It will make a very expensive tomb for her babies, and it will be her own fault.
Yes, good on them, they can raise money to make the much needed improvements to the police department. Upgraded equipment and training would be a great start. I hope they come down hard on any and ALL violators…including myself when I deserve it.
Tell me though, do rental cars fall under the category of “Jordanian Car”? I don’t think I could pass the Jordanian licensing exam..even though I’m certified in defensive. tactical and evasive automotive maneuvers. And no eating or drinking while driving? Guess I have to pull over to drink my Coke and eat bizzer on those long road trips to Aqaba! Rats!
DWI/DUI that is a bit harsh on the prison time…here (US) it’s usually only a few hours until they sober up…but then they go to court where they hopefully the judge comes down hard on them….not often though.
I, prob. like you, cringe everytime I see kids in the front on someone’s lap. All it takes is a hard brake, and they go flying through the windshield. I make it a habit of calling the police when I see this. It’s not the kids fault they have brainless drones for parents.
Probably the worst law change is no more of the rolling stops, it takes me a good two weeks to unlearn that back habit I pick up in Jordan every year…but that might be a good thing in the long run.
ooopss…..”bad habit”
PERFECT! thank God they announced that after i was caught talking on the phone! hehe
Luai, yesssir. With the kid on teh front seat, not only flying through the window but being crushed by the bodyweight of the passenger thrown forward. OOooo, awful to comtemplate.
LOL rolling stop, SO TRUE!!
Maher! Whew!
They’re doing good but some new tickets doesn’t sound rational.
Exceeding the speed limit with 1 – 10 Km per hour Most of Ammanie streets are 50-60km/hr but if someone behind you speeding up you either have to speed up a bit to get him away or to host his car front at your trunk.
Anyway, I believe it’s matter of luck
Jad, almost missed that comment! YYYIIII, the moment I wait for, JAD stops at my blog, and I don’t respond withing 30 seconds?
Heh-heh, maybe I am really bad, but this is my favorite kind of road-revenge. When someone is desperate to get around me (and I don’t see blood or a heart-attack happening in my rear-view mirror) I just slow myself down to the speed limit and let him sweat.
He knows he pays if he messes with my trunk, heh-heh. It’s like playing Junior PoliceWoman. Yea, one of my favorite things!!