Public warned of ‘fabricated car accidents’

AMMAN — The Jordanian Car Rental Association on Wednesday warned the public of “fabricated car accidents” on highways.

This week, six made-up accidents were registered in different areas around Jordan, he said, adding that the “accidents” mostly occur on highways with no traffic lights or detours and are usually done by local residents with rental cars.

The “accidents” occur on highways such as the Dead Sea route, the Airport Road, and streets in Tlaa Al Ali, Sports City area, Medina Munawara Street, and in Aqaba, 330km south of Amman, according to the association’s president, Abdul Hadi Tarawneh.

“It happens as follows: two motorists agree to rent cars for a few days, they follow a third rental car all the way to the airport, for instance, manoeuvre the driver of the third vehicle to lose control and hit one of the cars,” he explained.

Tarawneh said the “accidents” are usually minor with no injuries or scratches on the cars, adding that the driver of the third car chosen by scammers is often most probably a tourist, visitor, businessperson, or a local resident.

“When the victim asks to call the traffic investigation department, the scammers, who made up the accident, suggest that the tourist or visitor pay an amount of money ranging from JD100 to JD200 to avoid the police,” he told The Jordan Times.

Tarawneh added: “These made-up accidents have negative impacts on tourism in Jordan and the national security of the country. They target rental cars, this means they are probably visiting from abroad.”

He said owners of car rental offices should check before renting vehicles, but the authorities should also raise awareness to limit these acts.

Tarawneh urged residents and visitors who use rental cars to pay attention while driving, and to inform the authorities of any suspicious acts on highways and other roads across the Kingdom.

If motorists face similar situations, they should call the traffic department or the car rental office immediately, he said.