Posted in:
Reports
Written By: Abdul-Aziz Oudah
Article Date: Jun 10, 2008 - 12:35:13 AM
Colonel Nadim Mohammed al-Tarzi
The traffic system in Yemen is bursting at the seams as it struggles to cope with a whole host of current and long term defects that demand serious attention.
The Yemen Observer presented citizens’ questions to Colonel Nadim Mohammed al-Tarzi, the capital’s general traffic manager, who spoke of his administration’s plans to address these problems.
The capital’s traffic manager announced that the capital will shortly witness a new modern traffic system, with proper traffic lights and pedestrian signs. Colonel al-Tarzi explained that his administration plans to ban smoking and the use of mobile phones whilst driving, and it will be mandatory for the drivers to tie the safety belts. Most importantly, a uniform system of penalties will be instituted to deter offenders. In addition to this, al-Tarzi said that no more licenses will be issued to commuter cars in the capital, and that motor bikes will eventually be banned in the capital.
YO: - “Arab traffic week” held last May, which takes place every year simultaneously in all Arab countries, yet it received little controversy here. Why? N.A: -I think this is a positive sign, because drivers used to consider it an occasion for finding faults; however we meant it to be a regulation and attentiveness drive, and an occasion of mutual reproach between traffic officials and operators of motor vehicles.
YO: -It has been alleged that you started applying these measures on commuter cars first with the other cars to follow later? N.A: -The law does not differentiate between the two types, but unfortunately the commuter car drivers are less committed to regulations, and besides, they are responsible for passenger’s life.
YO: -What new measures do you intend to apply? N.A: -Yemen experiences one of the highest levels of traffic accidents in the world and in the area, with reports blaming bad roads and an absence of traffic signs.
YO: -What do you say to that?
N.A: -Accidents in Yemen are attributed to three reasons: drivers, the vehicles and the roads themselves. Regarding drivers, accidents happen because of reckless behavior, including high speed, incorrect overtaking or distraction while driving. Reports also reveal that major car defects are a main reason for tragic accidents, however, observing traffic instructions and appropriate speed can help to resolve part of this. The third factor is the bloated roads network road and the great number of cars that fill them in the capital. The number of cars reaches 25,000 and traffic jams usually exceed the roads’ capacity. Holes and digging work for different construction projects only makes it worse. There is an absence of any type of coordination between the roads, electricity, and water and telephone authorities. No road should be opened to traffic before all the infrastructures works are finished.
YO: -Don’t you think that you have a role in raising awareness about these factors?
N.A: You are right; we do have awareness programs which include distributing brochures and giving lectures to the drivers. We are coordinating with the Ministry of Information for launching a comprehensive program in the media, particularly radio and TV, for broadcasting instructional bulletins. Also we conduct lectures which brief traffic officers on decent dealing with drivers and pedestrians, enlightening people about road usage and traffic breaches in a method that rouses no provocation. We are executing efforts and carrying out campaigns that make the drivers understand that road safety is a joint responsibility, and not only confined to the traffic officers. Regarding pedestrians, these programs include messages focusing on pedestrians’ awareness, including lectures at universities, schools, and radio and TV programs. I call on the private media and the partisan press to forget about their political differences and join the traffic awareness campaign, pursuant to their pivotal duty for the sake of man. It is a pity to see the press focusing only on political issues and totally forgetting their commitments towards awareness issues, among which traffic is crucial. There are major defects in the present traffic light system, which is said to have been installed despite its inconsistency with the traffic system and which also often deactivates creating serious problems.
YO: -Can you provide with any solution to this?
N.A: -I cannot give technical assessments because it is a technician’s duty, and also it has been noticed that the expansion of new tunnels and bridges is not accompanied by the necessary traffic lights and signposts. We are looking forward to implementing a new traffic light system which copes with the capital’s roads expansions, hoping to solve many of the present traffic problems.
YO: -What measures are you taking regarding pollution emissions of diesel cars? N.A: -The ministry of interior issued strict directives banning the import of diesel cars, or converting other present cars into diesel working cars. Also we do not renew the license of any diesel car.
YO: -Has the conversion ban decision been implemented? N.A: -Yes, and we are going to stop any car that is not compatible with the traffic requirements, and they won’t be allowed to go back to work unless they are properly fixed.
YO: -The motorbikes disappeared from Sana’a streets and now they are back in force, with new brands being imported, raising the number to 65,000 bikes. Why the confused policy regarding motor bikes?
N.A: Motor bikes are indeed a real traffic problem, causing a lot of accidents. The capital secretariat is behind the motor bikes ban; however there was no coordination between the capital secretariat, the customs authority, public works officials and the traffic administration for appropriate arrangements.
YO: - Traffic officers are often linked to embezzlement, how do you plan to overcome this problem? N.A: -Though I don’t completely deny it, I have to say that there are limited cases because the phenomenon shifted even to the private sector, but I do not agree it is so flagrant among the traffic officers. We denounce the phenomenon and, we will take measures against all the people who prove to be involved, yet we ask the people to help in putting an end to this problem.
YO: -Do you think that the traffic legislations are perfect? N.A:- There is no need for a new law; however some provisions need to be amended in order to cope with the present developments.
YO: - Do you have any final comments?
N.A: -I call the on the press, which gives priority to political disputes, to give equal attention to the traffic crisis because it is more constructive than political altercations. I also request the foreigners that live in Yemen to respect the traffic laws in the same way they respect theirs at home.
