Egypt Exports Parking Expertise to New York - Bit of Trivia

Egypt diplomats in New York hold $1.19 mln in unpaid tickets

By Sasha Williams / Daily News Egypt
First Published: June 22, 2009

CAIRO: Once again Egypt is leader of the pack in unpaid parking tickets in New York City. Egyptian diplomats collectively hold $1.19 million in unpaid tickets. Egypt is followed by Kuwait and Nigeria, with $1.3 and $1 million in outstanding dues, respectively. The New York Daily News has been running an annual piece on the parking violations of diplomats in New York for several years now. A ranking of violators is compiled using data from the New York City Department of Finance. The diplomats responsible for the violations work at the UN or the Egyptian consulate. Egypt's consistently poor ranking is perhaps not surprising to most Egyptians. If the state of parking and driving in Cairo is any indication, Egyptian diplomats abroad are doing a fine job. In Cairo, there are streets with double-parking on either side. Sidewalks are often blocked by vehicles and people take to walking in the street instead. Delivery trucks will stand idle for hours in intersections. Drivers will squeeze their cars into impossible spaces which are better suited for a bicycle. The city is also notorious for its chaotic traffic. Staying below the speed limit or within designated lanes are not necessarily positive qualities in a driver. And the concept of parking violations in Egypt is virtually unknown. In short, parking is a spirited sport. But New Yorkers have become enraged by the egregious violations of foreign diplomats who hold immunity. The State Department issues special licenses to diplomats, protecting them from parking violations and ensuring their cars are only towed in emergencies. But this immunity does not extend to consular-licensed vehicles. The impact of Egyptian diplomatic violators is two-fold: they clog traffic and do not yield the same revenue from tickets which other drivers do.

The current economic crisis has brought greater urgency to the situation.

What could once be passed off as a humorous piece of trivia is instead a serious problem which is denying the city of New York of desperately needed revenue. New York senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are even asking the Senate Appropriations Committee to begin deducting 110 percent of the fines from the annual aid countries receive from the US.

Egypt ranks third in recipients of US aid, after Iraq and Israel. Cutting this aid to pay for tickets would put a dent in Egypt's budget. Diplomats have been warned about parking in the past, but such legislation would be the first to truly punish violators. Whether Egyptian diplomats will start parking their cars legally remains to be seen. You can take the Egyptian out of Cairo, but you can't necessarily strip him of his battle-hardened parking practices, even in New York.

Update- Drama of Re-License Larger CC Engine, Cairo, Egypt

We have a 9 year old Jeep Cherokee with 4000 cc engine. By new traffic law, engines above 2000 cc are subject to a re license fee at 2% of Vehicles assessed value. The Jeep is in my Egyptian wife's name, so off she went to Maadi Traffic Police to get the deed done.

After buying insurance for 150 LE (can anyone explain what this insurance is good for?), getting papers filled, buying stamps etc etc for about another 60 LE she went to pay any fines. Only to be advised the fines were 2500LE!!!!!!!!!. They would not provide any details (secret I guess) but did offer she had 2 parking tickets each at 500 LE each?????????. Anyway as all things in Egypt are negotiable, they settled at 570LE.

Next was tax for 1200 LE for 2 years. But, as they did not know value of vehicles yet, would only provide a 3 month car license as tax may change - they meant increase. All in all, cost was near enough 3000 LE all done, for 2 years but like I said has to return again in 3 months to see if any additional charges are due and then maybe get the license for remaining time. She did get the new blue and white license plates though.

So after 3 hours at this place of designed chaos, she finally had a legal vehicle for 3 months. Oh ya! also she bought a triangle and first aid kit for 25 LE, and 45 LE respectively. Bye the way, other customers at the Maadi Chaos center mentioned this Maadi Traffic place was so much better than other areas. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!

The drama does not end here.

A week later while on Lasilky street she had to go through a traffic police check point. To be advised the chrome front bumper guard was not allowed. Had been on truck for 9 years. She advised (or argued) that she just had the Jeep re licensed and they never said anything. He said to go back and gave her a receipt for the car license for one week's time.

We then got the bumper removed and she went back to land of chaos. Only to be told the chrome guards on back lights were not allowed. They had words like #*()^^^@### and she left in a huff. We got these removed also and now Jeep looks like a naked spirit of it's former self. But she got her car license after paying 46 LE fine.

I will continue the saga after she goes back in 3 months.

Well, 3 months past and after 2 1/2 hours at the Chaos traffic place, got the license renewed for 1 more year. So next year have to return ,as paid for 2 years, so will need to renew for another 9 months. Will the authorities ever figure out the new law on how to tax vehicles over 2000 cc or just give up and ignore it.

Don't Worry I Have Horn

The dangerous culture of Egyptian Driver's is captured in this tourist Tiara316 post repeated below and her other entries can be seen at this link.

"Beeping your car horn in the States is meant as a protest against some driver who's cut you off or stolen your parking spot. Not so in Egypt. In Egypt, your car horn is a vital piece of driving equipment that you use approximately every thirty seconds. Beeping your horn means "coming up on you" or "passing you on the left" or "watch out, pedestrian" or even just "hello."

It is also true that when driving in the States, there are lanes in the road that you have to stay in, and signal if you're going to switch out. Again, not so in Egypt. Instead, they have just three or four cars abreast always crossing in front of each other and barely missing each other in an unstopping fluid flow. Our driver Said explained that he thinks the Egyptian system is actually better and reduces accidents because if the person in front of him has to suddenly stop, he has many more options to just go around him instead of crashing into his bumper. I, on the other hand, do NOT feel confident about the Egyptian traffic system, and riding in the front passenger seat I have been treated to many scary almost-collisions with our car. Every time I white knuckle the door and gasp at a near miss, Said just jokes, "Don't worry, I have horn."

Egypt World’s Number-One in Road Accident Death Toll– Report

This article from Egypt Daily News Online at this link and copied below

Personally, since the new traffic law, there is no change in the culture of drivers in the Maadi area - especially death ring road from Maadi towards Katameya. Find me a police car, or truck, with anyone wearing a seat belt.

Egypt World’s Number-One in Road Accident Death Toll– Report

By Mahasen el-Sinousi and Khair Raghib 27/ 10/ 2008

The State and insurance companies have paid LE918-million compensations for road accidents in 2007 alone, including LE518 million compulsory insurance and LE400 million complementary insurance, said a Cabinet’s recent report.

Severn-thousand road accidents occurred in 2008’s first four months. This means the average number of road accidents in the year hit 21,000; lesser than last year’s figure, which hit 22400, injuring 30,000 passengers.

Egypt is number-one in a survey of 35 world countries in terms of the number of road accidents deaths, said the report, adding that statistics registered 156 deaths for each 100,000 vehicles.

Switzerland, which came at the bottom of the list, registered 8 deaths only for each 100,000 vehicles. Israel is number-twenty with 19 deaths for each 100,000 vehicles.

The largest number of road accidents was reported in Qena, East Delta and Assiut. Trucks were involved in nearly 40% of accidents versus 38% for private cars, said the report.

Death toll between 2000 and 2007 increased 36.7% and injury cases rose 60%. The rate of road accidents in general increased 24%.

Tire explosion was blamed for 20% of road accidents, high speed for 14.4% and taking a wrong direction 12%. In 17% of road accidents the car turnover and driving wheel disorder were the cause.

The year 2007 recorded the largest rate of train accidents, said the Cabinet report.

Translated from the Arabic by Eltorjoman International

Aftermath of new traffic law in Egypt - check back always updated

Update 5/9/08 - I drive from Maadi to New Cairo (Katameya Heights Area) and can say I see no difference in driving habits with speeders weaving around lanes, cutting in front, flashing lights to try and get you out of the way - and I have not seen any police cruiser activity, or in fact any presence of traffic police at all. Locally we refer to this route as "death wish highway" and it is unusual not to see the remnants of a nasty accident. Here is a bloogers posting which seems to nail the problem on the head as root cause is cultural - it is a good read. Link


Update 16/8/08 - Al Ahram Weekly article. I have still to see any police vehicle with driver or officers wearing seat belts. Not a good example! The triangle and first aid kit idea, so rumor goes, has been given a 2 to 3 month grace period? The traffic police at Maadi station told us they are coming in November.

Update 11/8/08 - my midnight trip to airport
We headed out at 1:30 am to meet KLM landing at 2 am to meet my daughter. My route from Maadi took me over the Tora bridge to autostrade, U turn on autostrade, then over to Salah Salim street near citadel and onward to Airport. I chose this route as should be best lighting compared to death defying ring road or straight down crazy autostrade. First impression was traffic was heavier than I expected at this time of night but think it is normal. On autostrade had to deal with heavy laden trucks hauling concrete doing about 5 km/hr so not able to travel road speed - against the law so it says. Other observation included these open delivery 1/2 ton trucks and encountered over 6 of these all driving at high rates of speed and no lights on. Few speeders dashing past on right hand lane then jamming into the 2 lane bridges. Did not see any of these so called high tech motorcycles, patrol cars, or in fact any police at all on roadways. Guess bad people drive only during daytime?

However, at airport a different story. If one knows the airport at all, we drove to Hall 3 arrivals in terminal 1. Across from the terminal there was many cars parked on roadway say about 40. I mentioned to wifey no one was not allowed to park here before so guess they changed the rules! As we sat for a bit, more cars pulled in and parked in front of us. So far all was good and we went into arrivals hall and it is set up quite nice with cafeteria, flight arrivals screens, and big wide screen showing people in baggage collection area. And cold as hell.

Daughter was about first one out as I had a Mr fix-it meet and assist chap. All kisses and hugs and out to car and Whoooops! Tire clamp on the mercedes. The only car tire clamped out of the 50 cars or so. Anyway to make long story short walked up the street and found the head honcho officer. Asked him why my car was clamped? Was it open season on Mercedes? He stated he did not have to explain! So paid 25 LE fine for ticket and 1 LE for stamps that some poor devil has to lick and stick on all the tickets in his booklet. And then, as a departing salvo stared and said we made him late for prayers! And he also said these other cars are for security officers so I am sure the all female group that got out of car parked in front of me were disguised with their close fitting sweaters and nicely tight jeans

Only other observation was the tunnels are blocked from 12 pm to 6 am. I did not know that. And just after the opera tunnel I slowed ,as could see several cars taking up all but fast lane with their emergency blinkers on. As we crawled closer it was obvious with the horns and decorations this was a wedding entourage out for late night, as seems it was more fun than dancing.

Further down the roadway, we go to right side of bridge, to wind our way through city of dead and end up on autostrade again. Good thing this is my route, as bridge to corniche was also blocked to car traffic?

At end home safe, once again, and all traffic police, I am sure, were well rested in their beds for next daytime onslaught.


Update 8/8/08 quote from Al Ahram Weekly "

"The new traffic law came in force last Friday. It stipulates fines ranging from LE100 to LE3,000 and includes jail sentences for some violations, and the suspension of drivers' licences for others. As of Monday 862 licences had been suspended and LE60,000 collected in fines".

See full article which comments that in a few months all will be forgotten!

Update 5/8/08
These videos explain how crazy and dangerous some drivers are Link 1
Link 2
Update 4/8/08 while imbibing on a few cool ones at ACE Club friend mentioned one of his staff where stopped while holding his mobile phone for conversation. Policeman warned him only, advising to stop car and talk or get hands free. Also heard of instances where police pointed at drivers to buckle up but did not stop them to fine them. So they are being courteous up to this point. Also in a Arabic local newspaper they reported 15,000 fines (seems a huge number) been issued, mostly against trucks, buses, and minibuses not driving in the designated right hand lane. Stopping these mini buses stitch driving while speeding, as they act as king of the roads, will do wonders to Cairo traffic
Update 2/8/08 friend said driving down cornice road beside Nile, there was a definite presence of police groups and they did no get bothered but observed all mini buses, and uses in general were all driving in right hand lane and not stitch driving amongst the lanes. that is good progress. Article of general interest from Egyptian Gazette
Update 30/7/08 article from Al- Ahram weekly July 23 to July 30 edition Living Dangerously
Update 29/7/08 - visited Maadi traffic police station and advised the first aid kits and triangles would be available November - assume they meant Nov 2008?

Well - panic has set in. And we all know the traffic police will be out in huge force come Aug 1st to show they mean business. I will update this blog with personal, and others I know, experiences as we go along,

I really hope they enforce the important parts - like half ton truck with 30 people in back, cars driving with no headlights them flashing high beams about 30 meters in front or you, dumping construction rubbish everywhere even to block half road, a young group in fancy car cruising in Digla, throwing out Kentucky boxes from car window, cars with no lights coming wrong way in Maadi at night, without lights, and scare shit out me; speed bumps that magically appear on road and launch car in space (speed bump fetish in Egypt); vehicles broken down and leave huge rocks on road to warn you, then drive way and leave them in lane (another reason I will not drive at night), crazy drivers on death road from Maadi to Kattameya - I don't drive that often but every time I do I see results of at least 1 accident , on same road crazy 1 ton tall delivery truck driving about 120 km/hr and went past me and hit back of tourist bus and almost fell on me ( I drove out of problem and he ended up nose to median) and bus ignored problem. I did not stop as would have ended up in Jail for beating him up!

Well the first aid kits - well at moment by government admission, there are 5000 available for 26 million vehicles. In the souks there is a run on them of any dimension and contents?

The triangles - looked today and none! But be sure the souks will have them soon and prices will not be what is stated. Will the Chinese type work?

Last time I was walking down road 9 in Maadi, I counted 11 of 40 cars with drivers with belts on. Yes I have too much time on my hands.

Well we don't know yet what is going to happen so let's go back to no smoking law in public places. In first week I was going to domestic airport and people where being warned about smoking. Next week the police where smoking.

Egypt New Traffic Law Aug 2008

Update 5/8/08 - see blog article from vagabondblogger - does best job I've seen so far explaining law and with photos. Great blog.

Following highlights are extracted from Egypt System Information Services

Failing to buckle in your seat belt doubles the risk of your being in an accident and subjects you to a fine of EGP100 to EGP300. (bloger note - driver must pay, this applies for driver and passenger - but not clear if it means all passengers or just front seat)
• Hand-holding your cell-phone distracts your attention for driving and subjects you to a fine of EGP100 to EGP300.
• Besides putting you and other people in danger, driving in the opposite direction may cause accidents. You could be fined from EGP1000 to EGP3000.
• Parking in the wrong place causes traffic jams and could subject you to having your license suspended for a period of no less than 30 days.
• You could be imprisoned for a period of no less than six months and fined from EGP200 to EGP1000, if caught in the act of removing your car clampers.
• You could be imprisoned for a period of no less than six months and fined EGP300 for allowing acts of public indecencies to take place in your car.
• Driving at night without the head and tail lights and without the side mirrors subjects you to having your license suspended for a period of no less than six months.
• Driving in unauthorized processions subjects you to having your license suspended for a period of no less than 30 days.
• Having a triangle warning sign prevents road accidents when stopping at night. In the case it is absent your license could be removed for a period of no less than 30 days.
• A first-aid kit will help you take care of your injuries until the ambulance arrives.
• Failing to have a first-aid kit inside your car could subject you to suspending your car license for a period of no less than 30 days.
• Using projector headlights at night endangers other people's lives. Your license could be suspended for a period of no less than 30 days.
• Failing to wear your protective head-gear when riding your motorcycle could subject you to a fine of no less than EGP100.

More details from Al Ahram Weekly News Paper July 23rd

Major General Serag Zaghloul, head of Cairo PTA, described the contents of the First Aid kit. It must include cotton, scissors, a bottle of antiseptic, a first aid booklet, a variety of sterilised gauze, medical gloves, a special Vaseline sheet for burns, a flashlight, ice bag activated when rubbed, three bandage roles, two plaster roles and a special bandage for bone fractures. These elaborate kits must come in carriers which are resistant to rust, are easy to clean and carry, have compartments on the inside, and are clearly marked in Arabic on the outside.

Some 5,000 kits are currently available on the market, and specialised medical companies will supply more at pharmacies and outlets near traffic units. The price range will be between LE60 and LE75 per kit, while the cost of the anti-reflection triangles ranges between LE15 and LE90. If the car breaks down, the triangle must be placed 10 metres away from the car, and drivers should not depend on the triangle placed on the inside of some car trunks, added Zaghloul.

The Ministry of Interior has already launched inspection campaigns to remove all chains, barrels, plant pots, car tires or any other obstacles placed to reserve parking spots or block part of the road. Violators will be imprisoned for a period not more than one year and/or a fine ranging between LE1,000 and LE3,000. Citizens who do this, according to Zaghloul, impede traffic flow by narrowing the street and causing congestion.

Few More details translated from Arabic Version of Law

Having a radar detector in vehicle - prison maximum 6 months fine not less than 1500 LE and max 3000.

Driver polluting roads by throwing litter, dumping rubbish, excessively loud vehicle, excessive exhaust smoke - L e 100 to 1500. 2nd offense within 3 months double penalty, 3rd offense in 6 months same penalty and license withdrawn for 1 year.

Reasons to have license withdrawn 1 to 3 months:

Allowing persons to ride on outside parts of vehicle, parking vehicle at night in unlit areas without parking lights on

Reasons to have license withdrawn for 6 months to 1 year

No in vehicle monitoring system (IVMS) in tourist buses, school buses, and all big trucks. (This translation is only a highlight about IVMS).

Egypt gets New License Plates Aug 1, 2008

I knew about the new traffic law coming into effect Aug 1, but did not know about the new license plates. I found a few interesting new blogs on this subject with pictures (see at end of post).

One comment is new cars registrations would have to wait till Aug 1st, and the blog was posted in May. Does this mean a huge rush for new car registration first week of August? But existing car owners can wait until they need to renew, or apply for a new one if they so chose. I need to get rid of the crumpled ones they gave me when I registered.

Also says traffic department people will fix the plates as new system that guards against theft removal? I can envision the waiting period to register has just gone up 5 fold. One stat I read was between 80,000 to 90,000 cars are registered each year - I assume that is renewals and new registrations. But, other stats read 26 million cars on the roads throughout Egypt.

I also did not know that different governorates duplicate numbers. Maybe this is why the poor old lady we saw in line to pay fines had 3000 LE on her record, but was telling officer the car has been in garage since her husband died 3 years before, so how could she have these fines? Could it be another car from different governorates, or counterfeit plates. I have never seen an officer check my car ID against the license plate!!!!

Will Egypt have and auction and bid for special numbers? Not likley as best might go for 10 LE but not so in emirates auction where top number went for $14 million dollars

Interesting blogs:

http://infliktora.blogspot.com/2008/05/finally-new-car-license-plates-in-egypt.html

http://egyptianstories.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-egyptian-license-plates.html