Qatar to deploy civilian-looking police vehicles
The authorities are planning to use unmarked police vehicles as traffic patrols to curb increasing violations, particularly on busy roads in the city and its sprawling suburbs.
The unsuspecting civilian-looking patrol vehicles will be equipped with cameras to click photographs of violations.
Use of mobile phones by motorists while driving, not using seat belts, throwing trash from cars and making children sit in front seats are some common violations.
Other common breaches of road safety rules include driving and parking on sidewalks, parking in slots reserved for people with special needs and overtaking from right.
Since marked vehicles show police presence and cause people near them to drive properly, unmarked cars will be used for patrolling, recording violations and catching those responsible.
Irresponsible motorists are making the roads in Doha and its suburbs less pleasant for people, so new measures to enforce traffic and road safety laws are needed.
Traffic safety is a major concern of the law-enforcement agencies as the population of people and vehicles is increasing.
The daily quoted a traffic official, Captain Hamad Ali Al Misnad, as saying that the use of unmarked vehicles for traffic patrol is planned as chaos and congestion on the roads have been increasing.
Violations and accidents hinder smooth traffic, he said.
To begin with, eight unmarked vehicles will be deployed for traffic patrol, Al Misnad added.
Al Misnad said some motorists observe traffic rules only when they see a traffic patrol van and as soon as the van has disappeared they are back to irresponsible driving.
Once the unmarked vehicles equipped with cameras are used to record violations, motorists will be careful and the irresponsible ones would be caught.
Cameras in these vehicles will click pictures of violations, which could be presented in court as proof of offence.
According to Al Misnad, the use of unmarked police vehicles for patrolling is not a new concept. Many European countries use such vehicles.
Unmarked vehicles will be deployed on major thoroughfares in the country. They will also be active at night when traffic is thin. The fleet will be increased in future. [The Peninsula]
They have been there forever. Any white "standard" land cruiser is most likely security.
This is applicable to all the drivers or only for expats ? what about people drive 4WD cars keeping their so called pets ( wild animals like tiger cubs, cheetah etc., )
I am a strong advocate of being safe, especially when it comes to children in child safety seats in a moving vehicle.
Although, I do understand that in other cultures it’s not a common practice and I certainly respect their cultures but that's a line I strongly feel that no parent should cross in putting their child in danger.
Every day I drive into work and constantly see mothers and fathers drive their vehicles with their child playing in the back seat or jumping from the front seat to the back seat. Clearly not restrained, and I often think how incredibly narrow minded it is to not keep your child’s safety in mind.
And in all honesty, I have to agree with Mary. Allowing a small child unrestrained in a moving vehicle, and since the roads here in Doha are extremely dangerous, I believe its child negligence. In the United States, it’s a serious crime and people do go to jail for that, in some cases, they can be put away in prison for several years. Now clearly this is Doha and not USA, but there should be some kind of common sense in this regard.
The right thing to do is to obey the traffic laws and think safe by practicing safe driving.
Mary , That { arresting } will be too harsh .....................
Just enforce the laws on the books now. Pull over violators and fine them, impound the car, or arrest them depending on the severity of their violations. Impound cars that don't have properly functioning tail/brake lights. Impound cars with people using their mobile phones. Until there is a consequence in place that is enforced and "hurts" either financially or on their mobility, people won't stop.
Oh, and arrest people who don't properly restrain their children, it's called negligence.
Good move although quite late. Had this been implemented in the past, traffic department would've gotten richer. Very good move though.
police should wait near roundabouts and some signals too coz when we are waiting in signal some people come from right/left side to enter in between so that they can go very soon, so it means the people who are waiting for signal to pass means they are absolutely fools. place cameras in every signal, qatar traffic department should implement fines for such act. in UAE its fine those who enter in between the line, in industrial area it happens lot, i waste 30-35 minutes to cross the roundabout i see most people going rough road and get access to roundabout quickly, i feel very bad
Those who know how to drive well won't be doing anything { special } ......... .................
This is needed. Once people start getting hurt in their wallets, maybe they will think twice about speeding in and out of Traffic. Good job Qatar Police.
''They will also be active at night when traffic is thin. The fleet will be increased in future '' ........... ................. This line is the most pain causing ..................
What next ;)