middle-lane-tortoises
I note that if I am in the right hand lane driving at the correct speed and I overtake a car on my left (who is travelling usually 30kms per hour and seems to be oblivious to all other traffic), I am liable for a hefty fine!
Why on earth do the Traffic Licencing departments not take into account that 'middle-lane-driving' seems to be a basic of the teaching system here. It should be stopped immediately, and taught [with a fine] that middle lane driving is often the cause of others having to behave erratically to get past them.
It must be impressed on drivers that driving in the middle lane when the right hand is free - except when approaching a junction - is wrong and can cause accidents. In most other countries is is also illegal and punishable with a fine.
Angelwings
Perhaps the Government will issue a set of traffic rules and regulations to help everybody and also make sure that first driving instructers themselves know the rules.
As far as I know only on motorways you are allowed not to overtake on the right. However I may be wrong.
Mainly I think no one cares aout the traffice rulesm as today when I came down Al Waab Street, the usuals were weaving in and out of the traffic darting from lane to lane at a notorious speed with no consideration for other drivers.
In other countries the legal speed is either 50km.ph. or 30 m.p.h. 80km.p.h. is just too fast too allow anyone to make a sudden stop.
I just heard last night someone got fined 500 for overtaking on the right. I don't believe they were driving at 'thrill' speed either - or even changing lanes (ie. from middle to right, if you know what I mean). So watch out for more accidents as we all cram into the far left lane now!
If the grass is greener on the other side, its sure the water bill is higher !
You're privileged if you don't drive. Most folks have to wake up in the morning and decided what car to wear to work !
If the grass is greener on the other side, its sure the water bill is higher !
Just as well I don't drive here, it would take me so long to decide which lane to start off in I'd never leave the garage! :P
Yes, Jauntie.
I AM saying that you shouldn't drive in the middle lane. Only if you happen to be overtaking someone on your right, or approaching a juction with big white arrows in the road depicting "middle lane straight on, right lane - turning righ; far left lane - turning left". Otherwise on normal highway you will be blocking an 'overtaking' lane, and that causes accidents.
Phew, this is taking a long time... swap to decaf !
Angelwings
If the grass is greener on the other side, its sure the water bill is higher !
Lol I can so understand what you mean.
I hate it when there are some people who drive slow in the Middle.
If you want to follow the law, the only choice I have is to slow down, then reach the left lane, then accelerate to over take.
On a side note someone mentioned 'police are non-existant on the roads'. I want to emphasize that it's traffic police that you mean, not all forms of police :P
__________________________
I Love Qatar - http://www.iloveqatar.net
Even *I* had thought of approaching The Jesuits to seek guidance on your behalf, but they were a bit tied up trying to clear the name of your ancestors, Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) and his daughter (yes, I did say daughter!) Lucrezia.
I was warned ,so was the Wolf by the High Counselor of QAtar Living. So I'm a nice Pope for know until I lock horns again with My wolf. Then I start losing my mind. If you see him let him know that I miss his entrepreneurship.
and here I was thinking you had been excommunicated for previous misdemeanors :P
Can't think why I don't use that 'Get the H outta my way ... my country etc' when I'm in the UK. *thinks* Probably because they'd lock me up for being a racist and lol
The Doha Traffic section have a black book published for other rules of the road, with a unique spin in the translation of the most common traffic terms used in Doha.
The findings for the most unique translation of a Middle Traffic Lane are extensive and very descriptive.
Definitions for middle Traffic Lane
1- For Usage of Emergency Vehicles Only, when both sides are congested with vehicles.
2- For usage of traffic when marked properly with white stripe lines signaling the direction of a turn or traffic flow directional.
and the spectacular one:
Get the hell out of my way! I'm bigger and better than you! This is MY COUNTRY and you are my Guest!
For that you have received the most honorable descriptive International SYMbol of discontent.
"The Middle Finger"
Enjoy-------------:)
Yes, I think that's what I was saying also. But at the start of your thread you say we shouldn't drive in the middle lane if the inside one is free. I guess you mean that here, in Doha, no one ever uses the inside lane and only uses the middle one.
Oh heck - I give up lol I'm outta this thread, cos I seem to be typing for the sake of it and keep repeating myself lol
Take care!
If there are three lanes on the highway you are driving along, then you should drive in the far-right-hand lane if it is empty. This lane is sometimes referred to as the "inside lane". This means it is for slower moving traffic. That way anyone wanting to overtake you will pass on your left hand side. This is the correct procedure. All lanes on the left of you are for overtaking only... not for driving in, unless the traffic on your right is going slower than you.
If you are in a two lane highway, you must drive on the right - the slow or inside lane - unless you are overtaking a slower moving vehicle.
I know some countries don't have such regulations and it is difficult if you were taught by someone who does not know these international rules.
These all apply to those countries who are driving on the right hand side of the road... for left-hand driving, such as in the UK, or Cyprus then the situation is simply reversed. Keep to the 'slow or inside' lane, unless overtaking.
Howzat? Angelwings.
If the grass is greener on the other side, its sure the water bill is higher !
I am a bit confused because in UK we drive on the left lol so I am muddling myself here trying to work out what angel wings is saying.
Personally, if I'm not in a hurry I drive in the inside lane and move to the middle lane to overtake only if the car in front is going slower.
If all the traffic in the inside lane is slower than me, then I remain in the middle lane until I can see clear road ahead in the inside lane when I may switch back into that lane.
If I'm in the middle lane and the car is on my bumper and unable to move into the outside lane, cos it's full with faster cars, then I would find a space to move back into the inside lane.
May I go and get a coffee now, please, cos this is making me dizzy lol
As long as you do not drive at 10km/hr when the speed limit is 80km/hr.
I always loved donkey rides in the countryside, way way back... :):)
That is what I thought also, but angelwings is saying otherwise
Isn't the general rule of thumb that if you are driving slower than most traffic, or on the way to turning off to another road, then you drive in the inside lane. Middle lane for moderate speed and outside lane for overtaking.
i.e. If in middle lane and decide you wanna dawdle a bit, then move to inside lane?
My understanding is that you shouldn't 'sit' in the outside lane and so prevent others overtaking cars in the middle lane.
I didn't know that you shouldn't drive in the middle lane!!! as I came from an uncivilised country that virtually have no driving rules, I had to learn all driving rules here in Qatar, and no body in the driving school told me that I should'nt drive in the middle lane!!! Are you sure of that, I always drive in the middle, thinking that it is the right and best thing to do :)))))
The best example of this is the Doha/Al-Khor dual carriage motorway, where during morning rush-hour traffic, you will find on the right, old pick-up trucks and "body-carriers" in mini-vans driving at 60km/hr, and on the left, Landcruisers flying at 160km/hr. Driving at the speed limit is practically impossible, and it is very dangereous to have to change lanes constantly. But here in Qatar, police surveillance is non-existant between speed-trap radar posts, and there is no minimum speed limit punishable with a fine.