Rules of the Road in Jordan

Get psyched, because I'm back with all sorts of travel tips and stories from my most recent adventures comin' your way. If you were unaware I've spent the past month in Jordan, Zambia, Amsterdam and England for varying amounts of time and with drastically different levels of adventure.

I figured that I'd share one of the first things that struck me in Jordan (not literally thankfully) that made me appreciate the western world. That being comprehensive and adhered to rules of the road that makes for a safer driving environment. That being said I think I have compiled a decent overview for the most followed driving rules in Jordan.

The maze of Madaba.

#1 If you're visiting and renting a car, it's not really a terrible idea to try and get one that's a little banged up. Don't fall for the rental guy's spiel of 'Oh this one's nearly new, only two scratches and it has just been cleaned!' They know that there are only two scratches; you want a vehicle that's all banged up, where another scratch or dent is simply added character that the rental agency might just appreciate. This custom body work will also help you blend in once you've left the airport and hit the streets. 

#2 Honks are like hand shakes... and fist shakes, turn signals, waving you through, telling you to stop, telling you to move, as well as a criticism or compliment on your driving. Well, basically, get used to lots of loud honking because whether you're on foot or driving you will attract a great many of them. Feel free to use the horn liberally yourself regardless of if you're happy, frustrated or trying to deliver a message, any way you slice it you can't go wrong.

#3 If you want to drive the wrong way down a one way street, you guessed it, just lay on the horn a whole bunch and wave vaguely. That is unless you're pulling out of a parking space and trying to go the right direction, in which case only honk as needed.

#4 Don't use turn signals; unless that is, you want to look like a tourist or are using them properly. That is to say as hazards, turning the opposite way of indication or if you're driving normally. 

#5 Do drive aggressively. There's no room for sissies on the roads in Jordan. I would guess, based on my observations that locals prefer to be cut off or swerved in front of anything else might be out of the ordinary and confusing. They'll show their appreciation of your ninja like maneuvers with a serenade of honks. However, sometimes it is nice to mix it up like some of the locals and let someone merge in relative safety.

#6 Driving during daylight hours is recommended so as to make potholes, speed bumps (of which there are a great many), other drivers, pedestrians and goats/camels more easily recognized and avoided. If you do choose to drive at night understand that headlights are optional and it's fairly likely you will encounter other drivers choosing not to use theirs, even in the middle of the night. The reason for this is unclear...

#7 Don't get distracted by those silly lines on the road. At best they're vague guidelines of where to go. Most local drivers seem to prefer to straddle them, the reason for is also a little murky. Feel free, to pass these guys at your discretion around blind turns over double yellow lines on mountain roads as you can expect the same to be done to you.

A map of Jordan in Biblical times, how much could it have changed?

#8 If you're concerned about being able to read road signs because your Arabic is a bit rusty, DO NOT WORRY! They're largely non-existent, and when they are around they're often obscured by stickers of the king or the remnants of said stickers. So hope for a good guide or a helpful police officer to point you in the direction.

#9 As a follow up to #8, the police are super friendly folks and you should not hesitate to approach them. They'll at least try to help depending on their level of English comprehension without any hesitation and with lots of smiles and enthusiasm.