Erring pedestrians to be fined from today: MOI
Pedestrians in Qatar are reminded to be extra careful, as the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has confirmed that it will begin recording violations of traffic rules and impose fines on erring pedestrians from today.
The move comes after the Ministry had announced the fines during a seminar to highlight the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians in the country, earlier in July.
MOI officials have been raising awareness on the proper use of roads under its Accident-free Summer Campaign, in an ambition to enhance road safety, ensure discipline on the streets, and allow the proper organization of roads in line with those of modern cities.
Pedestrians are reminded to use the nearest crossing to cross the road.
— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) July 31, 2019
At intersections, locate and press the crosswalk button, wait until you see the WALK signal and follow the rules for crossing.
Always stow your cellphone while crossing and keep your head up. #MoIQatar pic.twitter.com/ZyWz0x4K9U
The Assistant Director of Traffic Awareness Department Lt. Col. Jaber Mohamed Odeiba, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the State of Qatar has taken important steps in the field of traffic.
Qatar has achieved notable success in traffic safety, particularly in reducing road accident mortality that fell from 16.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2006 to 4.9 cases per 100,000 in 2018. This is even lower than the 2022 National Road Safety Strategy goal.
According to Odeiba the goal of tightening the traffic rules for pedestrians is not to collect fines but to protect lives and reduce the confusion of traffic caused when errant pedestrians cross the road, among other objectives.
Traffic statistics reflect the risks of pedestrians crossing and although the death percentage from run-off accidents in Qatar declined over the past years, but it remains high compared with the significant reduction in the overall rate of road deaths.
The number of road traffic fatalities dropped to 178 in 2016, 177 in 2017, and 167 in 2018, run-off accidents remained at 29, 32, and 27 cases for the three consecutive years.
A number of reasons contribute to run-over accidents, including the lack of pedestrian infrastructure such as tunnels and bridges, the lack of traffic lights used by pedestrians, the traffic lines allocated for crossing them in some ways, among other reasons, the General Directorate of Traffic studies reveal.
However, the directorate is determined to take all the necessary measures and means specified by the law to reduce the number of deaths and injuries resulting from run-over accidents, Odeiba told QNA.
Odeiba further mentioned that the activation of the provisions of Traffic Law on pedestrian offenses comes at a time when the state has completed many new road projects that guarantee secure pedestrian crossings.
There won't be recorded irregularities on pedestrian offenders in the streets that don't meet the necessary conditions to enforce the law, Odeiba said.
The new regulations that go into effect today will see the following fines:
- the first relates to walking on the median strip of the road, or in places designated for cycling, and non-compliance at the extreme end of the road against traffic, with a fine of QAR100.
- The second relates to the violation by those pedestrians who don't take the required precautions or use designated areas to cross a road, with a fine of QAR 200.
- The third relates to the violation for those who don't follow the traffic signals while crossing the road at an intersection or when the Traffic Police allows vehicles to move, as well as breaking through military parades and processions, with a fine of QAR 500.
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I am afraid drivers will crush the people through speedy cars by saying that its pedesterian mistake.
Please fix the crosswalk button at intersections. Most of them are not working properly.
Welcome move. It would be great if more pedestrian crossing bridges are installed around. Normally pedestrian tend to break the rules (+ risk themselves) coz walking across a street makes more sense, rather walking half a mile towards nearest signal and then walking again half a mile back. More pedestrian bridges would encourage people to abide by the laws.