How to educate Qatar's drivers?
Souped up cars ‘a threat to youth’
Many Qatari nationals and people in the know of things have drawn attention to the dangerous hobby of some youth of meddling with the original specifications of engine power and transmission system of their cars in order to increase the power and enjoy the thrill of driving at very high speed.
Reporting on this trend, the local Arabic daily Arrayah says this kind of tampering is not possible in Qatar because of the strict control maintained by the authorities. But youth manage to bring in such altered vehicles by road from neighbouring countries where there are garages and workshops offering this kind of special service.
The word used in local Arabic for this service translates as “mining” of cars.
Several Qataris who spoke to the daily have urged the authorities, especially the traffic department, to increase their monitoring of vehicles brought into the country by road. “This is a foolish and suicidal fancy,” they said.
It is the young and the adolescent who are indulging in this crazy habit. If left unchecked they will kill not only themselves but take many other innocent lives, they said.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=501724...
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AND ALSO IN THE GT TODAY
Two killed as cars collide
Two Qataris were killed and three others seriously injured when two cars collided on Rifaa Street in North Muaither late Tuesday night.
In another accident in the Industrial Area yesterday morning, a truck collided with a mini bus carrying workers. Sources said 23 of the workers were injured as the bus toppled over.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=501718...
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The roads here continue to be my only dislike about Qatar. I know there is very little that can be done to change the standard of today's drivers, but what do you think would be the best way of trying to do so?
I remember when I was training for my Advanced Driving Test, I was shown a 30 min film of car crashes. The film was graphic. It included clips of mutilated bodies, of whole families wiped out in one violent moment. It made me feel sick. But it made me realise it doesn't mater how safe my car makes me feel, in a collision we can end up as minced meat in a split second.
Perhaps a shocking video that shows the consequences of bravado, tiredness, a moment of lack of attention, or simply turning your car into a time machine to arrive at your destination earlier by putting your foot on the gas, could be shown to every new driver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21uape5VwH4
Now imagine the same type of video but with bodies still in the cars. Do you think that would get the message home?
How many wrecks a day do you see by the side of the road? Not one of them thought they would end up there when they set off on their journey.
This senseless loss of life must be stopped!
Translator, segregation here in Qatar? NEVER!
Fubar, Israel may have done that for few streets, and perhaps for security reasons. They have two different license plates as well, one for Arabs and one for Israelis. You are not promoting segregation based on nationality here in Qatar, are you?
This reply will earn me my 1000's QL point.
I am much more careful of non souped karwa buses or public government transportation... what about big trucks in roundabouts. A big car will not make you a big driver, it is all about skill and common sense.
The first can be acquired through practice, the second? Some dont have it
I don't see "souped up" cars in Qatar involved in accidents. My own "souped up" car has not given anyone as much as a scratch in the last 5 years.
Don't blame the cars, don't blame speed. Idiot drivers can and will kill themselves and you with any car (from sunny to a land cruiser).
Fubar, Israel has that? That's genius!
a very misleading article to say the least. souped up cars or sports cars are rarely involved in accidents anywhere in the world including qatar.
if someone blames souped up cars then what about sports cars? do you think import of sports cars should not be allowed too?
normal cars with lunatic drivers are actually responsible for the accidents either speeding or not.
to the guy who said about limiting top speed..limiting top speed wont do anything as most of the car accidents happen below 120km/h and since the drivers are responsible for careless driving, they WILL crash no matter what..they will crash into a parked car..they will crash into people crossing roads..they will jump signal and crash into traffic or just crash while parking their car!
Maybe we should take a leaf out of Israel's books, and have two road networks.
One for people who are content to drive at the speed limit, not drive on the hard shoulder, obey street signs etc.
And a separate road network where everyone else can drive as fast and as dangerously as they please.
That way the idiots can kill one another, and the rest of us can drive in safety?
This is a Never Ending Debate.....
Unfortunately, Drivers will fly their LCs, & that is the Part of the Culture now....
Thank you coffee sponsor :) ..
LP lols, cop in every car!!!! like the airline guys flies an engineer on board every aircraft:)
lol thanks for ur clarification :)
"when OP says Qatar's Drivers, it doesn't mean Qatari Drivers! right?"
Clarification: All drivers in Qatar (not just Qatari's).
what if cop doesnt use the seat belt, turns without indicating lights, uses his mobile (while driving).?
Another solution would be to have a cop sitting in every car and issuing instant fines while being a passenger. I think the cost for the policemen will easily be collected during one day.
Arien, that's good idea (mobile jammer & seat belt),
BG, thats not case actually. trouble maker drivers belongs to all nationalities, IMO, in ratios to their numbers here.
This issue is very important for all, whether expats or locals, whoever ever ventures out on the roads,
..even this may be 1000th post on the subject but never too much, atleast it reminds us all, who drive, to be carefull...
life is precious!!
Technology can help ...
All cars should be installed with mobile signal jammers (spell)....So no more BBs and fones on board !!!!
The engine should never start unless the seat belt is clipped in !!!!
Speed governors with the max limit in the country which is 120!!
People now include the cost of paying the speeding tickets in their monthly budget!!
This issue have been debated here many time, conclusion was that a strict enforcement is necessary, education would be done naturally afterwards.
rest all nationals r professional drivers
it doesnt mean but somehow it does (education for qatari drivers )
when OP says Qatar's Drivers, it doesn't mean Qatari Drivers! right?
The reason most people drive safely and abide by the rules is that they have a fear of being caught and punished for not doing so.
How can you expect people who live in a country where there is little enforcement of road rules, to abide by road rules?
People smoke at Starbucks because they know they won't get punished, just the same as people drive like morons because they know that they can get away with it.
And, for some, it's fun. For the rest of us it's a bloody nuisance.
ok sir !
BG put the dunce hat on and go and stand in the corner.
ok Bandit boy pls educate us :)
LP i dont know to drive can u teach me please ?
"why so ?? we can choose other countries too bad drivers everywhere"
Yes my furry little friend, but we are in Qatar, and this is Qatar Living.
TB, if you have the passion, could you start with BG, please?
why so ?? we can choose other countries too bad drivers everywhere
galloper gave the right answer. As long as they "get away" with it, there is no reason for them to stop it.
Gteat! But can we start with Qatar first please?
i want everyone to be educated TB !!
Woosh!!! And faster than a speeding train... there goes BG off topic again.
n whose gona educated the ones who get drunk n bang into ppl , other vehicles n then the cops chasing them ( not in qatar)
"ENFORCING" the law in place.
Regards!!
technically it is possible, but not practical, and as you pointed can be disabled. What about all the millions of cars already in the country?
I know this will be bizarre and never be implemented. But can the government request all car manufacturers importing cars in to Qatar to limit their top speed not to go beyond 120km/h. Even if it does can still these youth mod this limitation also?
If we assume that the Qatari drivers are the majority of risk-taking drivers, then some social responsibility arrangement must be made. Tribal leaders have to somehow take a visible role in making sure that the members of their extended family are good drivers. A local driver sponsorship system seem to me is the way to go, for those who already take more than one speeding ticket per year.
it was recorded......middle east or arab countries lead the most fatal car accident in the world.
Wow using the Lords name to rectify what is wrong, tht is shameful. So it is Allahs will for me to go out at night and see reckless drivers on the road and have them drive in2 whom ever and mame or kill them, come now, try something else. Allah has given humans brains to use it, not clutter it with ego and arrogance. Tht is wht makes us different from 4 legged animals.
Honestly, It’s disgusting to see—
-While I’m following all rules of the road but not sure if any MAD one will hit me and make my life hell
-people are so stupid (isn’t it stupidity?) to use phone while driving, bargaining their LIFE (precious?) for it ,
-they run like Mad bull as if Sky is falling,; Come on, it doesn’t matter if you reach late by few minutes, in one piece.
Who are they kidding when they say that you can't get your car specs altered in Qatar? I can think of a heap of friends who have done it here.
Brilliant, MRST. I mean, the idea.
someone suggested everyone should get a 10 year old VW Golf for 5 years to drive; with manual gear (so the left leg is down and BB can not be used)before they are allowed to get a 4x4
On a serious side, I remember having seen a one-minute spot on traffic safety on TV every evening before the main news for more than 25 years! It sure helped (a bit) to inform the drivers out there what dangers they have to expect and what dangers they impose on others.
:)
Sorry Sir :(
Whatever happens is Allah's will and you should not try to interfere with His plans, TB!
Youth will youth,, customisation of cars will always happen. I remember souring up my first mini by putting twin carbs and a new exhaust on it,,
The reckless driving needs to be addressed. Parents need to be stricter with their offspring and the authorities need to not only educate but also deal rashly with offenders.