Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Road Conditions
The condition of roads varies; unsigned speed humps are common, usually at the entrance
to a town but also across main highways. It's important to note that the term 'highway'
doesn't mean dual carriageway in Jordan - simply a main thoroughfare.
If you're driving around Jordan, read the following carefully:
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»Signposting is erratic - generally enough to get you on your way but not enough to get
you all the way to the destination.
»
»Many road signs are in English, but they are sometimes badly transliterated (eg 'Om
Qeis' for Umm Qais).
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»Brown signs denote tourist attractions, blue signs are for road names and green signs
are for anything Islamic, such as a mosque.
»
»Take care when it's raining: water and sand (and sometimes oil) make a lethal combin-
ation on the roads.
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»The Jordanian road system makes more use of U-turns than flyovers.
»
»Beware herds of goats and camels crossing all roads, including highways.
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»Petrol stations are not that common, so fill up when you see one.
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»Straddling of two lanes and overtaking using the slow lane are common practices.
Road Hazards
Despite the small population, and relatively well-maintained roads, accidents are alarm-
ingly frequent.
WHAT TO DO IN AN ACCIDENT
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» Don't move the vehicle.
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» Find a policeman from the local station to attend the scene immediately.
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» Get a police report (essential for insurance - Arabic is OK) and contact the car-hire company.
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» If there's a serious injury, call 911 for emergency services; you'll be answered by English-speaking staff.
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» Contact your travel insurance company at home and your embassy/consulate in Amman.
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» If your own car is involved, your driving licence and passport will be held by the police until the case is final-
ised in a local court - which may take weeks.
»
» Beware: drivers are always considered guilty if they hit a pedestrian, regardless of the circumstances.
