For people in Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and most other Arab countries, traffic is a top conversation starter. This is because it is an issue that affects millions across the region.
And because we share the problem, we all complain similarly.
Take a look:
1. We're all basically stuck in traffic most of the time
2. We all blame the traffic police for it
"If you're ever stuck in unimaginable traffic, no matter where you are, know that it's caused by police trying to direct traffic."
3. We're all equally frustrated about the whole thing
"When will the ridiculous traffic issue in Beirut be solved. When will ministries speed up metro plans? It's unfortunate for a whole population to spend half their lives stuck in traffic." - Lebanon.
"It's the same thing every day, chaos, traffic and no one to direct cars anywhere." - UAE
"Sometimes we cancel all our plans because... traffic." - Saudi Arabia
4. And we all dream of better public transportation
But there are also many differences
1. The amount of time we're stuck in traffic
In Lebanon it's anywhere between an hour and infinity.
In Dubai twenty five minutes is considered tragic.
In Egypt it's an hour or two, sometimes more.
2. And the suggested solutions
Dubai's metro sets an example
In Saudi Arabia, a few have different ideas
"Scientists at Cambridge aim to invent a car/airplane as a solution to traffic. This could be a possible solution for Riyadh and Jeddah."
"One of the solutions to Riyadh's traffic."
"A caricature in Saudi Arabia's The Middle East newspaper features solutions to traffic."
But nothing tops this proposed solution in Egypt
"Finally found a solution for Egypt's traffic problem."
Traffic ... It's what brings us together
