Editing Transport in Yemen (section)

==Roads==
[[File:Yemen. Aden. Maala. Aug 2013. (9708889690).jpg|thumb|Minivan on road in Aden]]
[[File:Route bus in and around Sana'a.JPG|thumb|Bus in Sana'a]]
Considering Yemen's size, its [[road]] transportation system is extremely limited. Yemen has 71,300&nbsp;kilometers of roads, only 6,200&nbsp;kilometers of which are [[Road surface|paved]]. In the north, roads connecting [[Sana'a|Sanaa]], [[Taizz]], and [[Al Hudaydah]] are in good condition, as is the [[intercity bus]] system. In the south, on the other hand, roads are in need of repair, except for the Aden–Taizz road.

In November&nbsp;2005, the [[World&nbsp;Bank]] approved a US$40&nbsp;million project to upgrade 200&nbsp;kilometers of intermediate rural roads and 75&nbsp;kilometers of village-access roads as part of a larger effort to strengthen Yemen's rural-road planning and engineering capabilities. Plans are underway to build an estimated US$1.6&nbsp;billion [[highway]] linking Aden (in the south) and [[Amran District|Amran]] (in the north). The road will include more than 10&nbsp;tunnels and halve the travel time between the southern [[coast]] and the northern [[border]] with [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref name=cp/>

Travel by road in Yemen is often unsafe. Within cities, [[minivans]] and small buses ply somewhat regular routes, picking up and dropping off passengers with little regard for other vehicles. [[Taxicab|Taxis]] and [[public transportation]] are available but often lack safety precautions. Despite the presence of traffic lights and traffic policemen, the [[U.S.&nbsp;Embassy]] advises drivers to exercise extreme caution, especially at [[intersection (road)|intersection]]s.

While traffic laws do exist, they are not always enforced. Drivers sometimes drive on the [[Right- and left-hand traffic|left side]] of the road, although right-hand driving is specified by [[Legal system of Yemen|Yemeni law]]. No laws mandate the use of [[seat belt]]s or [[car seat]]s for children. The maximum speed for private cars is 100&nbsp;kilometers per hour (62.5&nbsp;miles per hour), but [[speed limit]]s are rarely enforced. Furthermore, there are many [[Driver's license|underage driver]]s in Yemen. Many vehicles are in poor repair and lack basic parts such as functional [[turn signal]]s, [[headlight]]s, and [[taillight]]s. [[Pedestrian]]s, especially children, and animals are a hazard in both rural and urban areas. Beyond main intercity roads, which are usually paved, the rural roads generally necessitate [[four-wheel-drive]] vehicles or vehicles with high clearance.<ref>[https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1061.html Yemen country specific information] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622005753/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1061.html |date=2013-06-22 }}. US Department of State (April 22, 2009). {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The British government has a clear warning for their military and civilian employees, or British tourists, about using the roads in Yemen: “In the event of a breakdown of law and order access routes in and out of major cities may be blocked. If you wish to drive outside Sana’a you will need prior permission from the Yemen Tourist Police. Travel permits may take at least 24 hours to be issued and are easiest to obtain through a travel agent. Travel without such permission is likely to result in detention and possible deportation. You should be aware that the consular assistance we can offer outside Sana’a is limited due to restrictions on travel. There have been disturbances in Aden, Lahij and al-Dhali’, which have resulted in closures of the Aden-Sana’a road. These have been short-lived but if you intend to travel by road you should check that the road is open before starting your journey. You can drive in Yemen on an International Driving Permit. Driving standards are poor and mountain roads hazardous. You should avoid all road travel outside the main cities at night. Care should also be taken to avoid minefields left over from Yemen's civil wars. Travelling off well-used tracks without an experienced guide could be extremely hazardous, particularly in parts of the south and the central highlands."<ref>Hadden, Robert Lee. 2012. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130408130702/http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA559006 The Geology of Yemen: An Annotated Bibliography of Yemen's Geology, Geography and Earth Science.] Alexandria, VA: US Army Corps of Engineers, [[Army Geospatial Center]].Page 38.</ref>