D-ring road is a boon to most commuters
However, if you are not going to do the speed limit (100kph) or are going to slow to 80kph at the speed cameras "just in case" - get in and stay in the far right hand lane.
Just as elsewhere in Doha, IMHO, I don't think it's speeders who cause accidents so much as those who drive too slowly (i.e. don't drive at or near the limit), those who don't signal or look when changing lanes or entering or exiting roadways, and those who cannot maintain lane discipline at any time. This causes others to become impatient and sometimes aggressive because these people are NOT following the rules of the road which causes people to speed up or tail gate or or or.
Yes, I know there are some who will always be speeders and aggressive and plain stupid on the road. But the overly cautious or unaware drivers are "obstacles" that these regular rule breakers attempt to get past by whatever means (it doesn't make the rule breakers right, but it does mean that there are far more chances for accidents because of the slow drivers being in the "fast" lane (or not signaling or looking etc. etc.)
I know that there are cautious and defensive drivers out there, but not following the indicated speeds "because it's safer" is untrue. In many other countries you would be fined for driving too slowly and impeding the smooth flow of traffic as a result.
So, if you must drive slowly - get in the right hand lane and let others drive at the speed limit.
Also, would a lot of you please check your signal and brake lights - there are more cars on the road with no capability of signaling or giving warning of stopping because their lights aren't working. Again, something you can be fined for on the spot in many other countries (without having been involved in an accident).
"Few times, on the intersections, I observed some dark-skinned little driver is standing on the red signal, and when the light turns green, he is still hesitating to move on,"...
i think the guy just want to make sure that the coast is clear before making his move. cause there are drivers who enjoy the challenge of beating the red light you know...
cameraguy, nobody say driving below the limit is offence. the main point of this topic is:
".. if you must drive slowly - get in the right hand lane and let others drive at the speed limit"..
it is a normal practice in the civilized world, slower drivers stay in the right lane, the fastest ones take the left lane.. it is normal etiquette
and yeah, your fractioning has failed.. :)
About 77.5% of drivers on Doha roads are illiterate working class men from underdeveloped countries with poor roads and road etiquette driving poorly maintained old vehicles in Doha. About 15.8% are affluent and mostly sensible drivers who think the 77.5% should get out of their way when they approach them from behind whilst "doing the speed limit". The remaining 11.5% are idiots who shouldn't be allowed unsupervised out of their houses, let alone drive. The sooner you understand this, the quicker you will stop complaining.
BTW, I made up the above statistic on-the-spot, and I am not very good with fractions.
Also, doing 60 in a 80 zone, or doing 100 in a 120 zone, or slowing down to 80 near a speed camera set to 120 is not an offense in Qatar.
Stricter road law enforcement (less sleeping cops at roundabouts), stricter control over road legality of old badly maintained vehicles, and thorough road tests for licensing (not your d@mn parking skills) is what is urgently required.
Lastly Ms Mary Catherine, try borrowing a rattly 10 yr old Toyota Tercel from Mr. Malabar Pathan and see how confident you would be doing 120 on D-Ring road.
Qatar should take a lesson from Oman and Abu Dhabi on traffic law enforcement.
s-isale, nothing.. it is not generalization, it is just a sample of some particular case, observed by me.. it could be anyone... could be fair-skinned, could be blue-eyed, could be red-haired.. whoever... this is just for the clear image..
you know , how in the novels they describe the person.. “huge shaggy-haired man approached me and rudely asked..” ...it doesn’t mean all huge men are shaggy-haired, and not all shaggy-haired men are rude.. it is just a novel image...
Also, I saw many stupid drivers in R/A's
when they want get out from R/A, with looking in the mirror they will enter to another track (in R/A they used Left track from there they will enter to middle track) why they don't think other car who used to the middle track from R/A ....
many many stupids will not follow their track, with out thinking they will enter to the middle track from the first/last one
what has skin colour to do with a slow start QS?
The flashers are fine, the lightbulbs work, drivers intentionally do not flash. It took me 8 months in Doha to discover that Land Cruisers actually have flash lights, before that I thought it was not built in at all.
Chelsea, here could be the problem, that the driver doesn't know that the speed limit is 120. He thinks it's 100. Why? Because they don't know how to follow signs. This is another funny things I realized in Qatar.
People don't look at the signs! They have no clue what the signs are for. Here is funny example. While D-Ring road was still under construction, the speed limit was 80km/h, which was indicated on couple of signs. People who can read the signs, delivered this message by word-of-mouth to those who has no any idea what the sign is. Later, ‘80km/h’ signs on D-Ring road were replaced by 100km/h. And it was soooo funny to see how those who cannot see the signs whatsoever, are still slowing down to 75-78km/h at the speed cameras, because once they have been told by someone that here the speed limit is 80, and they are not able to see the new sign of 100km/h!
OR.. even better they SEE but do not believe!! This is another hilarious thing!
Few times, on the intersections, I observed some dark-skinned little driver is standing on the red signal, and when the light turns green, he is still hesitating to move on, trying to figure out whether he should go now or wait more, and he moves only when he sees the cars in the parallel lanes are moving...
The speed limit is just that... the limit. Law does not state you have to drive exactly 100 in a 100 zone. I know at home there are speed minimums on highways but I dont think there is here, is there?
I am sorry but speed is fatal, no way around it. I cant agree that the overly cautious are more of a hazard but do agree such drivers should stay to the right hand lanes.
they must be safe,so they drive in the middle track and drive at less than normal speed limit,many times 4x4 normally with out patience,they jump to third lane and come on to second lane give a jerk for the socalled safe drivers,some time it is correct but not always
D Ring seems to be really bad for people driving very slow in the left lane. There will be a really bad accident at some point in front of the Landmark mall and at the crazy overpasses to Sports Roundabout. Wow, some people have been driving really slow - like 60 kph. It's strange because in other areas of town, people drive like maniacs!
Otherwise, I can get around town so much easier now!
I totally agree
It irritates me beyond belief when drivers sit in the far left lane doing 90km/h on the 120km/h road going into Wakrah.
I refuse to flash my lights and I detest under-taking but sometimes they leave me with no other option but to go round them.
I want to go home as quickly as (is legally) possible - I don't want to add another 10 minutes onto my journey just because some idiot in front doesn't know lane etiquette!
Most of the speeders are aggressive and responsible for major accidents
So true!!!
why not c,b or E?