JORDAN: Jordanian volunteers in drive to slow down motorists during Ramadan with "Don't Hurry" campaign

Record ID: 347919

  • Title: JORDAN: Jordanian volunteers in drive to slow down motorists during Ramadan with "Don't Hurry" campaign
  • Date: 8th July 2014
  • Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (JULY 7, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BUSY STREET VARIOUS OF MOSQUE MINARET BOXES OF WATER IN A VOLUNTEER'S CAR TRUNK VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS WEARING REFLECTIVE JACKETS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OMAR BAKER, VOLUNTEER WITH 'DON'T HURRY' CAMPAIGN, SAYING: "The 'Don't Hurry' campaign started as an individual initiative among a few young people who then decided to ex
  • Embargoed: 23rd July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: Accidents,General,Religion,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVAP68YRMPB943X5PEGWIEC49DL
  • Story Text: As drivers rush through the busy streets of Amman at dusk to make it home in time to break their Ramadan fast, volunteers dressed in bright yellow and orange reflective jackets wait for them at traffic lights with bottled water and a few dates.
    The drive is part of an initiative dubbed 'Matestajelsh', or 'Don't Hurry', which aims to remind people to drive responsibly in the month of Ramadan, specifically at the time of Iftar, the evening meal.
    During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise until sunset, when they break their fast with the evening call to prayer, traditionally starting with dates and water.
    Omar Baker, one of the volunteers, explained the reasons for launching the campaign.
    "The 'Don't Hurry' campaign started as an individual initiative among a few young people who then decided to expand the initiative. This year we have been able to cover around 38 traffic lights. Our main goal is to minimise the occurrence of car accidents, because as you know the rate of accidents increases in the 5-10 minutes before and after the evening prayers, when the streets are empty," Baker said.
    The initiative started in 2010, with only 10 people who stood at a traffic light in downtown Amman.
    Since then, the drive has attracted many volunteers from around the capital. In 2012, the initiative included 160 volunteers who distributed dates and water to 40,000 people. This year the programme includes over 500 volunteers.
    One such volunteer, Ghaid Zadat, said she chose to participate because she wants to promote more safety on the streets.
    "At the time of the evening prayers, people start driving erratically and dangerously in order to make it home in time for the Iftar meal. Because of this, we stand at various traffic lights and give out water and dates to enable drivers to break their fast while waiting at the traffic light. Motorists will no longer feel the need to speed or drive irresponsibly. We want to limit the occurrences of car accidents," she said Organisers say five volunteers, headed by a supervisor, distribute water bottles and boxes containing dates at one of the 40 intersections. The teams work on alternate days so that the volunteers can rest.
    Abdullah Zaghal was one of the first volunteers on the project. Witnessing several car accidents during the time of Iftar pushed him to continue the work.
    "When we first started out, we would go around traffic lights and see what we could do. In the years 2010, 2011, we witnessed a lot of accidents, so this gave us incentive to work on this campaign, which will help and benefit many people," he said.
    According to Jordan's Public Security Department, car accidents are a major cause of death in the country.
    In 2013, the department recorded 107,864 car accidents in the kingdom which resulted in 768 deaths and 2,258 serious injuries.
    Motorists rushing to their homes and families at dusk said they greatly appreciated the initiative, which acted as a reminder to drive responsibly during Ramadan.
    "Of course, this will reduce traffic and congestion, and will limit car accidents. Breaking the fast energises people," said Alaa Abdeen.
    "These young men are doing a great job, they make us proud. Their efforts are greatly commendable, and we hope God rewards them," added Ahmad Awath.
    Since its launch, the initiative has also grown to include several other governorates in the kingdom, including Irbid, Salt, Aqaba and Jerash.
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