British couple on holiday in Morocco face bizarre roadside encounter on final day

A British couple, Frank and Mary W., from Almería, were on a Moroccan road trip when they encountered an unusual situation. Their week-long journey had taken them through several cities, including Fez, Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, and Rabat. However, their final day in Rabat took an unexpected turn when they were pulled over by a Moroccan police officer.

Frank asked the officer why they had been stopped, and the officer simply replied, "You drove over a white line." The couple was puzzled as to why crossing a road marking warranted a fine, and when the officer began writing up the penalty of 400 Moroccan dirhams (around €37), they tried to understand why they needed to pay. They did not have the exact amount on them, so the officer lowered the fee to 350 dirhams (roughly €32).

The couple found the situation odd, as fines are typically fixed penalties. The officer then began haggling with them, asking how much they could pay instead of providing a clear answer. Eventually, the officer accepted 150 dirhams (about €14) and allowed the couple to continue their journey. While traffic stops are not uncommon in Morocco, the way fines were handled in this case was different from what the couple expected.

In Morocco, fines are classified into three categories with standard amounts, and the amount can be reduced if paid promptly. However, the couple's experience showed that the officer could change the amount after they explained they did not have enough cash. This incident, along with reports of corruption involving Moroccan law enforcement, raises questions about how the system works and whether the officer's behavior was within the official guidelines.