DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DISTRACTED DRIVING

UNCLAS SANAA 000236 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP ANDREW MACDONALD AND OES/S NANCY CARTER-FOSTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SOCI UNDP UNGA EU YM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DISTRACTED DRIVING REF: STATE 6703 ¶1. On February 6, EconOff delivered REFTEL demarche to Yahya Mohammed Zahir, General Manager of Traffic in the Ministry of Interior's (MOI) Traffic Authority. He accepted the demarche, promised to convey the points to ROYG officials in the Ministries of Interior and Information, and told EconOff about the progress the ROYG has made in banning the use of cell phones while driving. ¶2. In November 2009, the ROYG amended the existing driving law, making it illegal to drive while using a cell phone or without wearing a seatbelt. The updated regulation, Law 285 of 2009, replaced Law 46 of 1991, which did not include a ban on the use of cell phones. As witnessed by EmbOffs, Sana'a police officers are already enforcing the ban on cell phone use. For a minor offense, the driver is given an oral warning, and for a major offense, the driver is issued a traffic violation that ranges from YR 2,000-4,000 (approximately USD 10-20). Acknowledging the prevalence of the problem, Zahir said that in 2009, 3,071 deaths resulted from traffic accidents in Yemen. He did not have data available regarding fatalities caused specifically by distracted driving. He told EconOff that the ROYG has a modest public awareness campaign in place, showing a poster that cautions against the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. Zahir said that the Traffic Authority lacks the necessary support, both financial and political, from the MOI and Ministry of Information for a more extensive awareness campaign. ¶3. Zahir told EconOff that the Traffic Authority is drafting a new law to regulate driving, bringing Yemen up to international standards of driving regulation and making the fine for violating the law YR 25,000 (approximately USD 125). He expressed concern about the general lack of traffic safety and estimated the total cost of lack of regulation at YR 6 billion (approximately USD 30 million),financially and in terms of personnel. Zahir asked for U.S. assistance for the Traffic Authority and specifically highlighted the need for training and technical assistance. ¶4. Comment. Although the new policy is a step towards developing a culture of traffic safety in Yemen, the ROYG has its work cut out for it. Yemen remains a country where "anything goes" when it comes to traffic rules and regulations. Few people receive driver's training courses, and it common to see children behind the wheel. While Sana'a police are enforcing the new amendment of the existing traffic law, according to post LE Staff members who travel weekly outside of the capital, enforcement is relegated to urban areas, where traffic police are focused, leaving countryside driving generally unregulated. End Comment. SECHE