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Reflections

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov's initiative is not just eccentric; it's also costly. There are reports that car painting service fees have doubled from $500 to $1,000 -- a hefty sum in a country where the average monthly wage is believed to be in the range of $200-$300.

Prohibiting black cars because of a presidential preference for the color white is just one in a long line of eccentric moves by the country's leadership. But the economic strain the prohibition will put on drivers could have them seeing red.

Viewing Turkmenistan's Recent Car Ban in Black and White

Highlights

Turkmenistan

Instability in Central Asia

As people around the world celebrate the new year and embark on their respective resolutions, the president of Turkmenistan has issued a curious resolution for his own country. Starting Jan. 1, the country no longer permits the driving of black cars, according to a report by the opposition-run publication Chronicles of Turkmenistan. The report also claimed that authorities have confiscated dark vehicles over the past two months, returning them to their owners with instructions to paint them white or another light color.

REFLECTIONS

Viewing Turkmenistan's Recent Car Ban in Black and White

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