by: Céline Dominique Nadler | March 29, 2024
After the Egyptian House of Representatives recently amended the road traffic law, it legalized a new type of four-wheeled electric vehicle that will become an alternative to three-wheeled rickshaws – known locally as tuk-tuks – which will continue to be on the road in villages, rural areas and narrow streets.
Mahmoud el-Dabaa, undersecretary of the Transport Committee, said the new vehicle would address some of the negative impacts of tuk-tuks. “Tuk-tuks navigate cities, luxury areas and tourist destinations, which does not exude a civilized appearance,” el-Dabaa told al-Masry al-Youm newspaper, pointing out that the purpose of introducing the new vehicle is not is to eliminate tuk-tuks but to provide a suitable alternative for luxury areas and to reduce accidents and traffic disruption caused by tuk-tuks.
At the same session, parliament approved licensing of tuk-tuks – which have become a local feature over the years – as the lack of regulation means they are sometimes driven by minors, while the lack of license plates makes them untraceable, allowing them to be more easily used to commit crimes. Indeed, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (Capmas), in 2022 the number of authorized tuk-tuks was approximately 219,900; However, according to unofficial estimates, nearly five million tuk-tuks currently operate in Egypt.
The changes aim to improve road safety, preserve citizens’ property, maintain discipline on the roads and enable the detection of stolen vehicles. This is part of the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to establish an integrated e-traffic system through digital transformation across all service sectors.
© All rights reserved