Public urged to stay home during inclement weather

AMMAN — The Central Traffic Department (CTD) on Sunday urged the public to stay at home and restrict their movements to emergencies to avoid blocking roads and enable emergency vehicles to help people in need.

“We urge the public to adhere to warning announcements by officials, especially those related to icy roads, which make it extremely difficult and dangerous to drive,” CTD Director Col. Basem Kharabsheh said.

The traffic official told The Jordan Times that motorists are encouraged to heed “the advice and instructions given by our officers who will be stationed on the Kingdom’s highways”.

“We urge people to abide by our advice to avoid certain roads that we know are closed and to ask us for information on road conditions, either by approaching our officers or calling 911,” Kharabsheh said.

The official said traffic might be diverted in some areas, especially tunnels, “because water might flood these areas and block them”.

“Our priority is to help the public, ensure safety on the roads and coordinate with the relevant authorities to open streets... so that motorists are not stuck,” Kharabsheh stressed.

Asked if the government will impose a curfew during the expected snowstorm, he said “this procedure will be considered when and if needed by the government”.

“If the situation is extremely dangerous and ice on the roads threatens people’s lives, then the government might take action like it did last year,” Kharabsheh explained.

The traffic official said the department will continue with its policy “of seizing vehicle and driver licences if motorists do not adhere to our instructions and stay off the roads when we ask them to”. 

The government enforced curfews at certain hours to avoid road accidents during a blizzard dubbed “Huda” that hit the country in early January 2015.

Officials handling the 911 Command and Control Centre told The Jordan Times in a recent interview that the number of traffic accidents doubled during the snowstorm.

Last February, 350 vehicles were towed by the CTD because they blocked traffic on the capital’s streets during the snowstorm.

Over 90 per cent of these vehicles broke down or were not equipped to drive in this tough weather, traffic officials said at the time.

Last January, despite repeated calls by authorities for motorists to stay at home, three people were killed and 541 road accidents occurred in the capital during the snowstorm.

Meanwhile, Public Security Department Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said the police will issue hourly bulletins to update the public on the weather conditions and the situation of roads.

People can contact 911 for any inquires related to emergencies or urgent updates, Kharabsheh said.