The Lower House is scheduled to refer a new draft traffic law to the concerned committee for study and recommendation during today’s session.

The government gave the bill urgent status, but lawmakers ruled out the possibility of it being endorsed before the end of the month, when Parliament goes into recess.

The government introduced the draft law upon recommendations from the Senate, after deputies rejected a temporary traffic law, which they regarded as unfair to a large sector of the society.

Officials said the legislation stipulates higher fines to make motorists think twice before breaking the law.

The penalty for running a red light, for example was raised from JD100 to JD250, over twice the monthly minimum wage. For those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the minimum jail time was extended to three months and the fine raised to JD500.
The law also imposes a JD150 fine and between a week and a month’s imprisonment for those driving Jordanian vehicles under foreign licences or without licence plates.

Lawmakers are also expected to set a date for a session to deliberate the status of oil in the Kingdom following a request by a number of MPs to discuss the controversial issue.

As many as 15 deputies signed a petition calling for a special session to hear from the government on the status of oil excavation following media reports and claims by a foreign oil company that the Kingdom has a reserve of nearly half a billion barrels in the Dead Sea area.

Officials at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources vehemently deny any knowledge of oil in the area, but lawmakers believe the government needs to clarify the situation to the public.

The session is expected to be held on Tuesday.

Deputies are also scheduled to deliberate amendments to the Youth and Culture Law as well as the Civil Courts Law.