Speeding still the number one traffic violation in Qatar

Speeding continues to be the number one traffic violation committed by drivers in Qatar, even after the Qatar Traffic Department has introduced new measures to reduce the number of traffic violations on the roads. The most recent measure introduced by the Traffic Department is the presence of mobile radars to catch speeding that have been set up in different locations of the country.

A meeting was held yesterday to discuss plans to raise more awareness around the country about traffic and road safety. The meeting held at the Ministry of Interior was attended by the Director-General of the Traffic Department, Brigadier Mohamed Saad Al Kharjia, Director of Media and Awareness, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Radi Al Hajri, media representatives and academia, reported The Peninsula. .

Attendees of the meeting discussed ideas and suggestions regarding the promotion safety on the roads and respecting traffic regulations. Suggestions included the use of screens like those at the Qatar Foundation to promote road and traffic awareness through traffic safety videos. The Traffic Department were also urged to publish recorded videos of blunders committed by drivers.

Even though the number of accidents and road deaths have seen a decline, with the economic growth in Qatar in the upcoming years, the Traffic Department is expecting that it will face many more traffic challenges. These include more vehicles on the roads of Qatar and an increased number of licenses as a result of a rise in the population. This may raise stress and congestion on the roads and may lead to an increase in aggressive behavior on the roads as a result of language and cultural differences amongst drivers which have caused traffic jams and other problems on the roads in the past.
Cover photo credit: Muhammad Kamran Qureshi