Possible to report wreckless drivers?
A buddy of one of my husband's colleagues flipped the bird to a driver here in Qatar and received a massive ticket for it - and jail time as well, I think. Fair enough - if there's a law against giving someone the middle finger then so be it. . .respect it or else.
On the flip side, today someone driving a Land Cruiser was driving up my ***, flashing his lights madly - you know, so he could reach that next roundabout 2.7 seconds before me. If I had pulled over to the right I would have rear-ended the pickup that I was in the process of overtaking. . .and I was already driving in excess of the speed limit.
I gave him a quick stab of the brakes, which infuriated him so he did it again. . .and I gave him another quick stab of the brakes. This sent him over the edge and he then proceeded to drive between me and the pickup, who was then right next to me - he must have driven the pickup off the road (I was too terrified to look back) and he swerved over to the left in an attempt to drive me into the curb and off the road as well.
I won't be reporting this guy because I suspect he'd use my stabbing the brakes as his justification for attempting to force me off the road - and he'd probably win, based on the way the laws seem to work.
All this leading up to the question. . .if a guy from the UK can be reported/fined/jailed for giving the finger based on the word of a Qatari, can a guy from Qatar be reported/fined/jailed for reckless driving based on the word of an expat?
Any opinions on what would be the outcome would likely be. . .and how ARE these reports made?
Oh my, when someone is driving up your a** at mach 9 I think you would be breaking the speed limit to get off the freakin road and away from the lunatic.
It has been known that people will bump your bumper if you get them mad enough. A work collegue told me he puched a car out of his way once because they were blocking his way when they were dropping kids off at school (the other car was stopped to let kids out). He said he didnt care as he had full insurance.
Expat, you are the culprit here, even if you didnt specify how far over the limit you were going. Perhaps he was just trying to correct your speed demon ways lol.
Some people, gosh. ____________________________________________________
"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
All,
I have dealed with certain nationalities on the roads here in Doha, Saudi and Dubai, showed them the finger, pulled them out the car, etc., with some ended as friends and with some in front of the police major, them bagging and trying to buy their way out – no way!
Anyway, here a tip from my side in case someone behind you flashing…
1. Never exceed the speed limit
2. Use the handbreaks (push the button and pull hard), will scare the shit out of them as no lights will go on and you will reduce speed which they can’t react to (no lights).
3. Once hit, call the police, tell them they didn’t hold distance and you had to redcue speed because of traffic in front of you, going from the gas…
4. Stand your men/ woman as any police officer will have to give you right, the other not holding enough distance.
Worked for me and trust me, at least once the day, I give those … nicely.
Buying a cam like that one h**p://www.pearl.de/a-PX8040-1122.shtml is my next plan, getting those once cutting me off…
Drive safe.
Expat S - nice! Yes, Elwood is a lovely place! I have some friends who live a few suburbs away! Australia IS a lovely place, and yes, cameras everywhere (including in 4x4's on the side of the road), but keeps it all above board.. :) In Oz, there are even instances of AMBULANCES getting lovely pictures taken of them rushing to an emergency :) lol. Someone was trying to get those few extra $$ for the tax office!!
Yes, my friend said the same about her thoughts and getting deported! lol :)
No, I just lived there - lovely country. We were in Melbourne (Elwood) for a quick 18 months. I have never felt as safe on the road as I did in Australia. There may be cameras everywhere, but they definitely serve their purpose well.
I love your idea of the message board, but it would get me deported for sure if my thoughts were actually put into writing :p
lol.
Amoud - love it!
Expat S - you from Oz or just lived in Oz? There's an Aussies in Qatar group now if you'd like to join!
Surely someone here speaks arabic or at least could find out what the phrase for 'I'd like to report a dangerous driver' is... (for UkEngQatar and others who wish to use the phone number, so they can actually get thru to someone!) UkEngQ - did you try saying 'Mafi Arabic' ?
Oh, and I was discussing with a fellow expat the other day the fact that I'd love to have a messageboard or such on the back of my car that you could 'flip' to say "get off my butt!" or something similar (and more apropriate). Even better if the sign was in both Eng and Ara. :) Any signwriters willing to volunteer for the job?! :)
Try it in the morning as its late now
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So sorry but the number is correct
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I tried that number the ladies says a few words in arabic if you dont understand she will put of another extension that no one answers..
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HE WHO DARES WINS
Yes its a non emergency police number.... specially to report reckless drivers
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Love your idea regarding the windshield wiper fluid. I'd love to fill the wiper fluid reservoir with something highly offensive. . .or at least have a sign to let the person know that my car was capable of spraying cars within "x" distance with something very unpleasant.
Is this the non-emergency police number?
To report reckless / dangerous drivers call 4890666
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I acknowledged my typo in my first followup post.
There's a reason you and I get on so well :)
Who dare to mess around with Amoud?
The number to report is 4890666
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Hooray Amoud, score one for the good guys!
Mandi
By Expat Sueño on Tue, 07/04/2009 - 6:49pm
". . .and I was already driving in excess of the speed limit...."
Can you explain that??? Do I smell a hypocrite here???
You speak about Oz. Well, let me tell you something. Back in Oz nothing, absolutely nothing gives you the right to break the speed limit. You could be a copper yourself, but unless you are responding to an emergency you still have to stick to the speed limit.
Back to Doha, you would have a very weak case since you were doing excess speed yourself. Offcourse you could not disclose that, but then would'nt you be a hypocrite and a liar?
I had a guy intentionally trying to hit me near the Al Meera in Dafna once. I was had my signal on about 50 meters from the signal so I could turn into the left lane and a guy came screaming up behind me (remember, 50 meters from the light) and start the flashing and such. I made a gesture like "What?" and he went nuts and started to try and hit the side of my car. He had a kid in the car with him who was no more than 5 or 6. He proceeded to follow me and try to bump me so I called 999. they asked where I was and if he was still following me but as he saw me on the phone he left. I had the plate number so they told me to go to the police station near the souq to make an official complaint.
Heres the kicker. I dropped my son off at school and what do I see?? His car parked on the side of the road. I proceeded to park my SUV to block him in and leisurely walked my son into school, had a chat with his teacher etc.
When I came out he was sitting in his car, quietly waiting for me to move. I did this to him as much as possible for the next few weeks, he never said a word, I got my pound of flesh so to speak.
____________________________________________________
"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
I've actually stopped hitting the breaks now when they do that, i just turn on my windshield washer front and back on full wipers... works great if it is one of those really dirty cars behind you.
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ON the fast track and you are on the max speed permitted.. dont move an inch. Let them flash untill get tired. I do it. If you are slower than the max speed limit you shouldnt be on the fast track.
Complaints agaist Qataris would be a waste of time I guess.
______________________________________________
Listen to Many..Speak to a few.
Regarding your action of "stabbing the brakes" - the police advise you to do this if someone is tailgating you, so it shouldn't count against you.
Actually, I know someone who is going to court here for supposedly using inappropriate language with another driver over who cut who off. The other driver filed a complaint and the first person disputes their version of events.
The police will act if you make a complaint. As you say, it's a he did/she did sort of argument but they will at least speak to the other driver and let him know a complaint has been filed and is on his record. Will that curtail such poor driving habits? Maybe not, but at least ExpatSueno will have tried and that's the best anyone can do.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
go to police station right away together with the driver of pickup. the more complaint the better.
yes video is a quick evidence.
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KEEP MOVING!!!
Dubai and Qatar are different. I doubt whetehr the police here would treat this case with any urgency.
You could always ask at the police station if it is too late AND what the procedure is for future reference - that way when (not if) it happens again, you'll know what to do.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
Expat..did you check if the guy in the Land cruiser was the policeman himself.. Amazing no matter who they are once they get behind these evil machines (Land Cruisers designed for off Road) they become like the devil in disguise...
Except for balderick who drives a Nissan Patrol with a foreign number plate...lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
Your word against his I'm afraid unless you can get video evidence.
that would be your full time job Expat Sueno :P
marycatherine can u post that non emergency nomber here as all we know to call police on 999 only ??
I'm sick of the idiotic driving here, and I'm happy to spend hours reporting people who endanger the lives of others. . .
this is Qatar Love or Leave it
As advised by stayingalive, you need to report it right away. Don't wait. And yes, they will take action.
Expat ...this is what you do next time...u get the plate number and drive off to the nearest police station....coz that is where u file the complaint...i am sorry i dont have the other non emergency police number but even if u do get it thats what they will tell u.....coz it happened to me b4 ....different situation but the policewoman on the line told me to file a complaint at the station...on over the phone....drive safe and good luck
How about a posting here where you can list plate numbers and the offence they have committed- maybe the powers that be might take notice. Or maybe not!!>
May your dreams take you travelling all through your life.
In Australia drivers can be reported by other drivers for littering, which I LOVED. All you had to do was to fill out a report stating what you saw, the time/location and the license plate number of the pig who threw the trash out of the window. The witness had the option to agree to appear in court should the pig contest the allegations. If the litterbug did contest, the police would call the witness to see if s/he was willing to testify in court (under oath) against the litterbug. The litterbug then had two options: either pay the $250 fine straight up or go to court and risk paying a $1,000 minimum fine. LOVED it!
Anyone know?
I did get his license plate & the time/place of the incident, but I figure it's too late at this point to report it. I suppose I should have gone straight away to the police station, but didn't want to do so without knowing the full ramifications of filing a complaint.
Thanks for the suggestion,
ES
(and my apologies for the typo in the subject line - should be 'reckless', not "wreckless"!)
How about a website like this http://www.platewire.com/ where you can post the plate numbers of aggressive drivers. I had the same experience one day when a driver expected me to move over but I couldn't as there was a lorry to my right so he swerved around me just missing my car, I flashed him because of his dangerous driving so he got annoyed and showed me the middle finger.
>
May your dreams take you travelling all through your life.
As soon as something like this happens (try and get his plate number) call the police (not 999 but non-emergency number) and tell them what happened and that YOU want to file a complaint.
He might not get a fine, but he will be spoken to. I have had friends in Dubai call the Dubai police hotline (including the school bus driver I was travelling with to a school function with students) and file reports about exactly what you're describing.
In one friend's instance, he called, told the police what had happened and the other fellow arrived at the police station about an hour later to file a complaint about my friend's behaviour. The police were able to say they were already aware of the situation and began to question the second fellow closely.
In your situation, being a female is a BIG plus. Tell them you felt threatened and intimidated (quite truthfully) and tried to slow down (quite rightly) but that the other driver drove recklessly.
So long as you're being honest, the police know how these guys drive and behave. For goodness's sake don't flip them the bird or use the F word (they can read those lips) and you'll be in hot water for it. One case in Dubai meant a UK (female) expat had to surrender her passport for 6 months until the court case was heard (never did hear the verdict) but better to just shake your head - they can still see it in their rearview mirror (if they actually use it) and you won't have to answer to a judge for it.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"