Motorists cry foul as traffic department continues crackdown on violations

AMMAN — Motorists have voiced their outrage over the increasing number of traffic tickets they have been receiving recently as part of a strict campaign that targets violators, including those who double-park.

Almost three weeks ago, the Central Traffic Department (CTD) announced it was increasing its surveillance on violating motorists.

Other targeted traffic violations include speeding, wrongful overtaking and using the mobile phone while driving.

“The idea behind the campaign is to mitigate traffic congestion and road blocks that would result from wrong parking practices by many motorists,” said Amman CTD Director Col. Bassem Kharabsheh. 

The traffic official told The Jordan Times that the Kingdom is expecting an extra 600,000 vehicle this year in the summer from Gulf and other neighbouring countries.

“We have to be strict about applying the rule of law because we don't want anything to hinder traffic flow,” Kharabsheh explained.

But the campaign was met with little cheer by many motorists, who took to social media to voice their objection.

“What a morning full of traffic citations!” wrote Sana Ashqer on her Facebook page.

“It is truly a system to collect money.  God be with you our lovely people,” she added.

Ramzi Alami posted in Towards a better Jordan Facebook page saying that “this traffic campaign is disgusting because traffic police are sneaking on motorists and splashing tickets left and right”.

“The [traffic police] left all the dangerous and reckless traffic violations and devoted themselves to simple no-parking zone citations. This is really disappointing and disgusting,” Alami wrote.

Others, such as Facebook user Nasser Naghawi, criticised the focus on parking tickets, while issues such as the disturbance of motorcycles at 3am and picnickers, who place tables and shisha and the sidewalks are left unchecked.

But other motorists thanked the CTD for the campaign, saying it was “long overdue" and has worked to minimise traffic congestion.

“This is one of the most important campaign because the congestion on Zarqa roads was unbearable,” wrote Ali Khraishah on Facebook.

 Fares Abu Rassa added: “We are of course with the campaign. People need to learn to walk a bit to places they aim to visit or buy goods from. There are not enough parking lots available in front of businesses not only in Jordan but also in the world.”

Since the intensified traffic campaign began earlier this month, Kharabsheh said an average of 13,000 tickets have been issued every day in the Kingdom. 

The crackdown focuses on double-parking near stores and places of worship, in addition to other negative practices that jeopardise the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Kharabsheh added that the number of traffic violations started to decrease in the past two weeks.

“We noticed a decrease in violations and that is due to the enforcement of rules,” the traffic official said.

He added: “We are surely not after collecting money.  People want to commit traffic violations and not to be fined.  This is unacceptable and is against the law.  The law must be applied to ensure it is respected by all motorists.”