I’m a huge fan of sidewalks…why do people think it’s a driveway? If cars park on the sidewalk, then pedestrians end up in the road…give parking tickets to vehicles who park on pedestrian sidewalks.

I haven’t seen any signage telling pedestrians how to cross the road…it’s mostly a “good luck” feeling trying to cross busy four lane w/median streets around here or trying to manuever around a circle.

I also miss the lane dividers since too many people think two lane roads are three lane roads (read taxis and other brave souls).

On another note, my husband brought me a hands-free unit for my Bluetooth accessible cellphone from the States. This thing is really great. MashAllah. You charge it in the cigarette lighter and it can clip onto your visor. You can accept calls with the push of one button and you will hear the call on the speaker. It is clear as a bell. MashAllah. I think everyone should have some type of service like this to cut down on the accidents and problems associated with cell phone usage in the cars. In many states in the US this is the law. Hands-free only phone usage in cars. Hello Jordan, wake up!

I used to speed a lot in Jordan but now I’m driving like an old half-blind man, Americans would drive like Jordanians if law was enforced on them.

I think we can equate it with a trip to the grocery store. Personally, I do stop and think about what I am buying at the grocery now instead of just throwing whatever I want in the buggy. Money, or the lack thereof, truly is a great deterrent!

And, regarding pedestrians, I have ALMOST hit more people who simply step out into the street in front of my car than I care to count! Anyone know if it is true that I would automatically be carted off to jail if I hit a pedestrian regardless of the circumstances?

It’s weird cause I lived in Aqaba for a couple of years and I should say they all respect the zebra line (except in weekends when it’s filled with people form Amman) and kept asking myself what created that habit ? how to pass it on to people in Amman?

When pedestrians crossed streets wrongfully, they would charge that person 10 piaster. After they left and things went back to civil status, people remained abiding for a while before they went wild again.

What bothers most, are the slow and those crossing traffic lights through the middle where cars are always running fast.

This is new to me. Please tell me it’s not true…it is ‘manly’??? Oh, how FAR we have yet to go.

Pedestrians who are not drivers really have no clue as to the danger they are putting themselves in. As Secratea said, then those who do drive who know ignore the known danger.

The problem with pedestrian education is that it will take a LONG time to see true change, as there is no visible carrot or stick, unless it is made a part of the school curriculum like yesterday. Then moms will learn it with the kids. the curriculum IS covering environmental issues and water conservation at the elementary level, so it wouldn’t be hard to add it to the shu ismo, Mehani book.

The latest increased costs of traffic violations is making my friends slow down and stop talking on the phone, pronto. Instant results. I think when people see results, and read of marked decreases in traffic accidents, they are more likely and willing to police themselves to be a part of the solution.