Demanding registration
Motorcycle and tuk-tuk owners protest in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, January 31 – Owners of motorcycles and tuk-tuks in Baghdad organized a protest on Wednesday at Muthaffar Square in Sadr City, later moving to the Ministry of Interior. They are seeking solutions for registration issues of both officially registered and unregistered vehicles, which current Iraqi laws do not clearly address.
Amir Al-Ashaqi, a spokesperson for the protesters, told 964media: “We’re protesting against the impounding and registration issues. The Traffic Directorate doesn’t register tuk-tuks, yet drivers are held accountable on the streets. We demand that tuk-tuks be recognized as official vehicles with proper plates.”
The protesters issued a statement outlining demands, including open registration for two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles, reactivating Law 48 for unregistered vehicle registration, dismissing the director of Rusafa Traffic, returning impounded motorcycles, and reducing the cost of motorcycle registration.
This protest follows a series of tuk-tuk related issues in Baghdad. Recent thefts, particularly in Amara Village, have led to increased security measures by owners. In Al-Musayyib, despite registration drives, tuk-tuks continue to disrupt traffic, leading to fines and a crackdown on unregistered vehicles. Last year, residents in Al-Bayaa called for a tuk-tuk ban due to traffic chaos and accidents, highlighting the ongoing challenges in balancing traffic management and the livelihoods of tuk-tuk drivers.