Written by: Rima Youssef
Translated by: Daisy Khalil
NNA - After long distress, the new traffic law saw the light and the citizens finally sensed a spark of hope for less traffic accidents. But, despite all the reassurances, this breakthrough would be pointless unless it were implemented properly.
Three months after the issuance of this new, modern traffic law in the Official Gazette, how far have we come in its implementation? How aware of it are the citizens (despite the ISF's repeated calls on citizens to check the website for related details)?
This traffic project comprised of 420 articles was accomplished by the Public Works and Transportation parliamentary commission and a committee including the best of Internal Security Forces experts, the Council for Development and Reconstruction, the Engineers Order, YASA and other institutions, under the chairmanship of Judge Fawzi Khamis.
They managed to set severe penalties against violators, with fines that could reach a maximum of three million Lebanese pounds with two years imprisonment in addition to seizing the person's driving license. A special branch was established within the Internal Security Forces' General Directorate for this purpose.
Amongst the main articles of the said traffic law is how to get a driver's license, something that has become, at the present, based on points. The more the violations committed by the driver, the more the points deleted from his license, and so leading to its seizing.
Driving lessons prior to giving the citizens their deserved license would, from now on, be taken in specialized schools and not in offices.
An Interior Ministry Committee headed by Director General of the Traffic Management Bureau, Farajallah Srour, and comprised of the Commander of Beirut Traffic Police, Colonel Mohammed Ayoubi, and Head of ISF Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Mousallem, was formed to discuss the amendment of 15 articles that are not related to matters of public safety, points system or driving licenses.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Mousallem said in an interview with the National News Agency, that the traffic law is being gradually applied, starting with the Port and all the cars' shipment and entry operations; second, the Motor Vehicle Registration Authority, and third, the required training sessions for traffic departments' officers.
He pointed out that "the Directorate is planning to conduct an advertising campaign that introduces the citizens to the main articles in this new law."
"The provisions of this law are of major importance and aim to preserve the citizens' lives. It is of everybody's responsibility to read and abide by these provisions for the sake of public safety," Mousallem explained.
Violating the law's provisions - mainly by driving without a license, exceeding the 60 km/h speed limit, driving under the influence of alcohol, crossing a red light, throwing garbage out the car window or not fastening the seatbelt - would inflict on the outlawed sanctions of imprisonment and fines' payment.
The law does not address the problem. It rather helps the Internal Security Forces restore the prestige of the traffic system in Lebanon, until the state could provide safe, well-lit and rehabilitated roads that spare the citizens more reasons for fatal accidents.
=========D.K.
