Soapbox:

Urban chaos

By Mohsen Zahran

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The spreading epidemic of transport chaos on public streets endangers the lives of pedestrians and motorists alike, resulting in nearly 100,000 casualties annually. The haemorrhage is steadily rising.

There is no use enacting new laws, maximising penalties or adopting tougher measures, as in the new traffic law so long as it is not faithfully enforced, for there are always ways and means to get around it, owing to corruption, dishonesty, poverty and class. Gatekeepers are often the violators, collaborators or bribe seekers. Meanwhile, the governments cannot allow, or even afford, a policeman on every street and corner. So strict enforcement can never be assured.

The solution is multi-faceted and multi-layered. Law enforcement officers in every ministry and governorate must believe, trust and uphold public laws and order. Application and enforcement of laws must apply to all -- no matter whom, what or where. This requires public information and media campaigns, as well as changes in curricula, in both the formal and informal education sectors.

Governmental and public organisations should commit to respecting public laws and regulations and become models for others to follow. No exception and no exemption. On the other hand, it is worthwhile adopting the North American law of the "citizen's arrest", whereby a citizen may report traffic violations or other illegal conduct with proper measures and guarantees. Further, plain-clothes law enforcement officers should be recruited and densely dispersed to institute allegiance to and respect for law and order.

Speedy application of justice and proper implementation of public order at all levels can ensure equality, transparency and commitment to urban civility, which are prerequisites for building a promising future for the aspiring multitudes.

This week's Soapbox speaker is a professor of urban design at Alexandria University.