Qatar driving - North American drivers view?

One time, I was pushed into a crowded roundabout by an impatient local.

European friends came to visit me, rented a car. Turned it in two days later, totally freaked out and told me "you'll have to drive us."

It's the Wild West. Keep your eyes open, drive - if you can - during low traffic times.

There are worse places - Kuwait. Saudi Arabia. Rarely do I see the 13's and 14 y/os on the road here. But many Qatteri guys driving don't have a license. It doesn't matter. If something happens, the law doesn't apply to them.

Always drive for two - you and the 'other idiot', which is everyone around you.

Qatari's are not bad drivers, it's those coming from other nations where driving instruction is lax and ox carts rule the road.

they die every day,,,I have never seen so many wheels come off,,,,I have never seen so many accidents per capita,,,,and they really are dangerous...need one say more

I think driving here is on par with Cairo. In Cairo though they're a bit more reckless, here the drivers are considerably dumber. In any case two of the worst I've ever been subjected to.

They are implementing a more strict traffic laws now, particularly in the Airport area. Policeman, will no longer approach you and remind you to wear seat belts instead, they approach you and hand over that lovely yellow sticker. No more but's and sorry's... I saw numerous hard headed drivers caught and given strickers to no avail last thursday on the intersection of airport E, D, and C ring road to no avail.

I even saw that they have put some portable radars that is hiddend between the date trees along C-ring road an hour ago. Blve me, that little thing never stops blinking. For drivers was not aware that there's a radar standing on a tripod 3' tall along c ring road in najma area. Be careful now guys, they're putting more of those lovely pods all over doha to catch those speed demons unaware.

Actually driving in the states is gay... You actually have to stop at a stop sign even if no one is coming and school buses stop at all railway crossing regardless... No sympathy fir those of us in a hurry....

Yep love the fact that all rules here are advisory only. I can just ignore the ones I think are crap.... So I see a few dead people on the road to ras laffan every now and then.. Qatar is doing it's bit for overpopulation and they normally come from countries who have too many people anyway so easily replaced.....

second you on that britexpat

If you like it here, you'll love Kuwait :)

It's a big Kindergarten here. The few dead people are the price you pay for the freedom to have no laws. If these drivers would do what they do here in Germany they'd be off the roads within half an hour, including their cars. Except for the brand new cars none of the cars here would get a registration in Germany! You have to pass a yearly inspection done by Diplom Engineers (5 Years study at a Technical University). These guys know what the safety of a car requires. Thank God you live and drive in Qatar, the "Wild East" of driving. - I enjoy it to the maximum, by the way. 15 years and going. Couldn't do that kind of driving in Germany. That's why I'm here. I'm loving it.

Dont forget Ramadan is just around the corner.

Driving WILL be better during the day, but at around dinner time everyone goes crazy.

When you havent had food-coffee or water since sun up, you would be in a hurry to get home also.

I agree with Formatted Soul," If you are alert on the roads you are safe".

Just be patient during this important time, and try to honor their tradition.

Better yet...if you dont need to be on the roads during this time, stay home...and make some microwave popcorn and watch a movie!

thank you all again for your honest opinion! I have few more questions related to school bus system. I have posted in a new thread and would greatly appreciate if you can give me your opinion on that as well

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/610447

blue.

hehehehe, i knew it was you!

next time i'll take a picture of you and post it here ;)

lus,

And I've been driving the white Landcruiser more and more after I read what people write on QL.

Agree with Brit...

Nothing to worry... people are exaggerating about the driving here.. If you are alert on the roads you are safe.... if you are also like them talkin on the mobile while driving or doing hmmmm… something else in the car... you are sure to meet with an accident..

I am driving for more than 10 yrs...had only one minor accident... one big truck was tryin to over take me on a single track road. I stopped while he was overtaking...my wing mirror was in this truck...and small dent in the door...

I don’t know if am a safe driver or because I am more alert on the road... never had any traffic violations except once..when my friend insisted to park somewhere and told she will pay the fine if I get a ticket...and she paid QR.500/-..but 3 points on my license. ..:(

Yep second what Brit and then lusitano have said above. Just be aware of your surrounding you should be OK. Don't be too aggressive and too relax in following the rules. Deal with evry situation its merit.

What ever you do do not lose your cool..:0

Happy and Safe Driving..

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

bleu,

hehehehe, easy to say so when you are a Qatari ;)

Wow!! You expats here are really scared!!! This is the clearest thread about it.

Don't worry, you'll be fine. Maybe lots of frustration, but not really dangerous.

OtNoRot,

Basically you have to always be aware of what is happening 360 degrees around you. Once you have experienced and identified all the typical behaviors, as Brit said, with the use of mirrors, anticipation, and defensive mode, you will be prepared for any attack.

Just be aware that it might come from any direction!

Good luck!

thank you all for your advice. Let me summarize and make sure that I have the right information(please correct me if i am wrong):

1. Chances of getting involved in a major accident are low

2. Drive defensively

3. bigger the car, the better(i guess i need to do some research on which suv's are the safest)

Having driven extensively in the USA, Europe and the Gulf, I find that driving in Qatar is pretty easy if you have your wuts about you.

Yes, people don't always follow the rules, but use your mirrors and anticipate - You won't face many problems...

are locals aware of traffic rules? They did pass in the driving school and finally got their license. Aren't they suppose to apply what they learned? am sure they are educated fellas. In this case, expats will always call them uneducated though they are educated with this behavior.

But, i can also observe some locals who drives civilly and with this: SALUTE!

Above the law? Ah... this will cause chaos. However, anyways, they can always pay off how much the life of a person can be. This is what money can do.

Guys... all we can do is talk about it, hoping that one day people will learn.

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics

The only gratifying feeling is that we have speed radars on all important roads and intersections here and the speed limits inside the city is 80km/hr and the 'violation fines' are very high. Some 7 -10 years ago before radars, ppl used to drive so dangerously fast and 'racing' between locals on the main roads during peak hours was a common sight ... I was born here, i have seen driving patterns evolve, and i think thing are much better than it was and is getting better . If your practice 'defensive driving techniques' and understand ,anticipate driver intentions well in advance, u should be fine.

I have been in Doha for ten months and I do not own a car. I live a short walk from the office and at weekend jut grab a cab or a driver service. What I save in not buying/renting a car pays for my social activites some of which would preclude me from driving anyway. Who needs a car if it sits at home whilst having a drink with friends. Also everyday you are not involved in a car accident is one day closer to the inevitable accident. My advice is if you must have a car get a driver

If you see a Local male or female driving move quickly, They get tunnel vision with the head adornments.

Have to sat though the women are worse. Blacked out land cruiser with full face veil and sunglasses.

In conclusion though. People will shout racist but try and avoid any car driven by any colored person. There all mental

Otnorot, although the chances of your having a minor accident are very high, chances of your having a major one with injuries is actually quite low for Westerners. Most of the fatalities here are because of "overspeeding" and "improper passing." So if you don't make it a habit of driving 180 kph on the wrong side of the road you should be fine.

Mandi

In comparison to Houston driving/traffic, Qatar drivers are more dangerous.

You must watch out for the other guys ALWAYS! You will have to be in a defensive mode at all times.

There is no respect for other drivers; thus, they will cut in front of you; not yield for other drivers or pedestrians; and will rarely stay in their lane. The roads are marked with stripes, but the drivers here tend to ignore them.

Good luck. Hope you drive a large SUV to compete with these idiot drivers.

As long as you have the ability to anticipate other peoples stupidity you'll be find. It's very easy to spot when someone's going to do something potentially dangerous.

And with traffic increasing so much here, there's less opportunity for crazy driving anyway.

Driving in Qatar is like going into sucide. To your quiries, chances to getting involved in an accident especially being hit from the back is in the ratio of 1:2. Yes Qatar is full of Mad drivers and law enforcement is lacking. If you could, drive a battle tank or a bulldozer on the road to be safe anyway. At best, you could try to be very defensive as possible on the road. Just Forget the honking, lightflashing and tailgating. If a crazy man jumps into the sea, why should you follow suit?

The main problems in Qatar are:

- Uneducated, aggressive, uncivilized people who will speed behind you and flash their lights on you until either there is an accident or you were some how able to get out of his way;

- People who drive on zig zag mode;

- People who never use flash light indicators and drive cars as boats;

- People who drive slow in the left lane;

- People who don't know how to enter or exit roundabouts;

The main problem here, in my opinion is the combination of huge money and no education, which translates into disrespect, aggression and common uncivilized behavior including parents who drive with kids jumping all around with no seat belts.

Problems that you may encounter in the US or Canada's big cities may be exceptions but here are routine and the rule.

To make things worse here, there is no active traffic police and the locals are above the law. They pretty much can do whatever they feel like and nobody can do anything about it.

Just imagine when they are uneducated, young and have good cars!!!!

Contrary to what you may assume, Qatar is not governed by rule of law. It's about who you know and how much power they have!

It’s a night mare driving here when compared with any civilized nation!

johnpur,

Jurassic Park…LOL… excellent analogy!

if you have other options like a company transportation and you are living alone here in doha then better don't drive.

driving in North america is different from driving in jurassic park

Land Cruisers,,,Land Cruisers.....

Need one really say more!

who lived in Southern California for over 10 years(freeway driving) and Houston for 5, I can honestly say that Qatar driving is the worst ever. Although London and Rome are pretty bad as well. Here in Doha you have drivers from all over the world thrown together. Many have no clue that there are such things as rules. Put that together with absolutely no enforcement of laws and many who act like bullies in their cars, you have a dangerous mix of driving styles. If you are a confident, aggressive, experienced driver who has a lot of common sense and can keep your cool while driving you will be fine. Inexperienced drivers should not take to the roads here, it would be foolish. Good luck.