Qatari denies speeding death charge

HAPPYDAY
By HAPPYDAY

A 20-year-old Qatari has denied causing death by reckless driving – telling a court he was travelling at “only” 140kph.
The presiding judge, Salah al-Sharif, reminded him that the maximum speed on the country’s roads was 120kph and that the accident took place in an 80kph zone.
Furthermore, should he be found guilty of the offence, he will have to pay blood money out of his own pocket because his car was not insured at the time.
The driver also told the court his brakes had not been working.
A 35-year-old American died as a result of the accident on Salwa Road on December 29 last year.
A 40-year-old American who was driving the car in which his friend lost his life, said he saw the Qatari through his rear view mirror approaching at speed and flashing his headlights.
At first, the American had no room to move over, but when he saw a gap open between two trucks he drove to the right – only for the Qatari to follow suit.
As a result, he allegedly shunted the American’s car causing it to hit one of the trucks and bounce into the other. The right door of the vehicle took the full impact, killing the 35-year-old passenger instantly. The driver also lost consciousness in the crash and had to be airlifted to hospital.
The court heard that the deceased worked as a technician and the two Americans were driving to the US military airbase.
The trial has now been adjourned until October 5 so that medical examiners can file a report on the extent of the physical injury suffered by the surviving American.
The tragic accident took place two months after the new traffic law came into force imposing heavy penalties for traffic violations.

By Dracula• 2 Jun 2008 19:21
Dracula

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By spanky1423• 2 Jun 2008 19:01
Rating: 2/5
spanky1423

in our country, we normally drive at 100-120kph but there was no kind of accident happened...actually..,it is more on how you were educated on how to drive... here in qatar, even the most narrow roads you can find, there are drivers who feels they are in a racing track... and mostly, they are expats...

ROBIN!!??? to the BATCAVE!!!http://www.qatarliving.com/user/spanky1423

spanky1423's picture

By HAPPYDAY• 2 Jun 2008 18:57
HAPPYDAY

alexa i actual saw a woman the other day get out of front of car, she went round the back, took a crying 8 month old girl out of a car seat and sat her in the front on her knee!!!!!!! just cant understand the thinking!

By britexpat• 2 Jun 2008 18:56
britexpat

I have driven from Jubail to Bahrain a few times.. The only problems I faced were after Dammam. Mind you that was a couple of years ago.. Have the roads really deterorated that much..

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 18:53
anonymous

know what im talking about....Potholes,ruts and debris all over the place. Yer have a blowout at them speeds and thats it, game over....Probably taking out have of the other traffic as well.

I slowed back to 120 soon as id taken that pic.

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By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 18:39
anonymous

people back home, how stupid Saudi drivers are.

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By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 18:30
anonymous

the back, doing over 160. I managed to catch up and take a pic. The backend of the pickup was bouncing up and down....Not very stable, especially at those speeds !!

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By britexpat• 2 Jun 2008 17:40
britexpat

There are moronic drivers everywhere, not just Qatar. I have lived in Saudi and believe me Qatari driving is mild compared to there.

In the UK recently a man drove into a lady pushing her child in a buggy, killing the baby. He was only prosecuted for reckless driving.. At least this guy is being prosecuted for murder..

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 17:22
anonymous

Expect nothing when you are here...Justice delayed, justice denied....

"When you have found food for your soul lead others to the Source."

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 17:22
anonymous

Expect nothing when you are here...Justice delayed, justice denied....

"When you have found food for your soul lead others to the Source."

By TweetyBird• 2 Jun 2008 16:59
TweetyBird

I know what you mean Alexa. The chances of NOT walking away from an accident go up significantly when a child is not in a car seat. Even just bump into the backend of your car is enough to severely injure a child who is on your lap.

By TweetyBird• 2 Jun 2008 16:51
TweetyBird

I hate the fact that my children are on these roads with these types of drivers. Scares me senseless to think about it.

By wmhizon• 2 Jun 2008 16:45
wmhizon

he should pay blood money + life imprisonment!!!

 

 

 

 

"Even if LOVE is full of thorns, embrace it. For in between those thorns there is a ROSE that's worth all the PAIN."

By t_coffee_or_me• 2 Jun 2008 16:39
t_coffee_or_me

in another similar case a victim was charged of sucide

 

 

 

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By Adorman• 2 Jun 2008 15:58
Adorman

140kph is nothing I used to travel with some saudi friends and the average they drive is 170kph I remember last time we were driving from jeddah to riyadh our speed was 190kph when I asked him to slow down he said this is the minumm he can drive :/

By Ramada• 2 Jun 2008 13:32
Rating: 3/5
Ramada

When I was in Qatar I made it a policy not to drive at night unless I really had to. It's at night and in the early hours of the morning that the loonies come out. There was one time I'd been working late and was driving back into Doha on the North road, I was the meat in the sandwich between two land bruisers, driven by young kids who were racing each other. I had absolutely nowhere to go and just did my best to make sure they didn't hit me as they went past at 130kph+. These kids had no awareness of the danger they were creating for themselves and everybody else on the road, this was their idea of fun! That is the problem, how do you get it across to them that their 'fun' may result in their killing themselves and other innocent road users?

By Snowstorm• 2 Jun 2008 12:26
Snowstorm

 

http://www.qatarliving.com/group/ql-kairali

YOU DONT KNOW ME, DONT EVEN TRY !!!

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By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 12:25
anonymous

Nah, im not taking him to England, they've only just arrived here to see that twat !!

I just have him over on an afternoon....

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By Tigasin321• 2 Jun 2008 12:16
Tigasin321

How is your little boy? Are you taking him to Great Britain with you? Not had a heart attack yet but its just a matter of time.

Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:48
anonymous

to counter my claims ?

Mind you, hes that old hes probably had a heart attack.... :P

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By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:46
anonymous

one driving. If the driver had just stayed on the right lane, maybe it's another story. I am not defending the Qatari, definitely he should be punished, but again the story of staying in the wrong lane is one of the culprit!!!!!!

"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"

By Oryx• 2 Jun 2008 11:39
Oryx

That is the polite version - but if you knew the probably very accurate observations that are made by females sometimes !!!

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:35
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

Fantastic, the best, brilliant etc etc

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By Oryx• 2 Jun 2008 11:24
Oryx

U exactly right... a man's driving is a manifestation of his testosterone etc etc etc..

Yes when we see a man drive like a w*nker we feel sorry for him for not being able to realise his potential elsewhere.

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:24
anonymous

to see :P

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By Oryx• 2 Jun 2008 11:22
Oryx

Ahmed is great... being all squiffy eyed the other evening he got me home safely and I was soon tucked up in my reindeer pajamas.

BTW the way - many more powercuts like last night and I will be round to your crib! Can't sleep without aircon.

By Dracula• 2 Jun 2008 11:22
Dracula

Mr.Paul then you're safe!

You can stop one 140km/h Deathcruiser only with your under T-shirt airbag... :)

Tigasin? 8? grrrrrrr

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:20
anonymous

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By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:19
anonymous

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By Tigasin321• 2 Jun 2008 11:19
Tigasin321

Its a 2006 Lincoln Town Car with a lot of metal and 8 airbags. Also, I don't drive drunk. I have Ahmed who carts me around at QR40 a journey.

Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about

By swissgirl39• 2 Jun 2008 11:17
swissgirl39

i think we all know you are a handsome and cute and...

ehem....

correct me if im wrong

;-D

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:16
anonymous

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By swissgirl39• 2 Jun 2008 11:15
swissgirl39

well then i suggest you to drink hectoliters of Beer and eat tonns of Burgers and Chocolats.

;-)))

the easiest way as far as i know.of course no sports alowed.

lol

By Oryx• 2 Jun 2008 11:15
Rating: 3/5
Oryx

Sorry

I had a power cut last night....lack of sleep.

Two near death experiences on the way to work....

I just feel really strongly about this...

death/injury due to inconsiderate driving just causes so much needless heartbreak

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:14
anonymous

A big no no in most of the world...

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By Oryx• 2 Jun 2008 11:12
Oryx

Lets not get too sanctimonious here...

The boy was driving dangerously and speeding...

Now only people who never

a) break the speed limit

b) drive dangerously

c) drive drunk

etc

Should criticise him... the rest of you should be considering your own behaviour and LEARN because if you carry on you may one day be responsible for someones death.

Let he is without blame cast the first stone.

By Dracula• 2 Jun 2008 11:11
Dracula

i have 6 air bags inside my car.

Maybe i need 1 more under T-shirt also! :)

nobody knows...

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:05
anonymous

You old Knacker you !!

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By Gypsy• 2 Jun 2008 11:04
Gypsy

I used to move, but then what happened to the guys in this story almost happened to me (only it was 2 landcruisers!) So now I let them do the moving.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 11:03
anonymous

Gypsy speeding.... naughty girl !! :P

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By Tigasin321• 2 Jun 2008 11:02
Tigasin321

when you are as old as I am you realize that there ain't much life left so you don't want to increase the chances of shortening it even more. I also drive an enormous car to further increase my chances of survival.

Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about

By Gypsy• 2 Jun 2008 10:56
Gypsy

I know for a fact that my 1991 Chevy Lumina couldn't go pass 140. I'd say they be forced to buy those.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 10:54
anonymous

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By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 10:51
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

"If they want a car they have to work at McDonalds until they've saved up enough money to buy one (no help from Mommy or Daddy) and then all they can afford is a 1988 Toyota Corolla. The car won't be able to go very fast "

Again, in Saudi, the smaller the car, the faster they drive , as if they are making up for having a small "Todger"

Yer see little 1.8

l Toyota echos regulary doing 150-160 on the highways.....I drive a 4.0L and even i dont drive that fast !!

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By skanky• 2 Jun 2008 10:28
skanky

If the limit is 120km in the Highways, you are in a 80km zone and you drive at 140km HOW YOU ARE NOT SPEEDING???

ANIMAL DE MIERDA, MAL PARIDO, VUELVE A LA ESCUELA.

Sorry guys not allowed in english..

Have a good day

The Venezuelan Sensation!!!

By Shuaibkazi• 2 Jun 2008 10:23
Shuaibkazi

I have seen many expats doing the same.

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 09:59
anonymous

Jesus said: "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Let their be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error.-

By rlasrado• 2 Jun 2008 09:51
rlasrado

What is the use of money once someone has lost his life.Can a value be put on one's life.

In this cases, the accused should go to Jail. I'm sure it would result in Qatarisation of Jails ;-) Just joking.

Mr.Landcruiser scares the hell outta me.

Agree with Paul though - saudi's are crazy - specially went they come to Bahrain and see Women and booze..they think it is the UK and drive on the wrong side of the road...thts worse thn Mr.Landcruiser in Qatar.

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 09:36
anonymous

more accident every day because of those people who do flash light they want to fly but they must punich and interdit those technichien who make flush in car

By Oryx• 2 Jun 2008 09:30
Oryx

I move..... the worst is driving out from Al Rayyan stadium after a football match.

I MOVE - my objective to get to where I am going safely.

The impact of a large 4x4 hitting my car would not be good for me!

By Gypsy• 2 Jun 2008 09:29
Rating: 4/5
Gypsy

I think young Qatari's/Arabs should have to do what other young people in the world do. If they want a car they have to work at McDonalds until they've saved up enough money to buy one (no help from Mommy or Daddy) and then all they can afford is a 1988 Toyota Corolla. The car won't be able to go very fast AND you're less likely to drive recklessly when you can't afford another car when you total this one.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

By Qatar Idols• 2 Jun 2008 09:29
Qatar Idols

they're not scared to die... what more of killing innocent drivers...! see, if i were asked for a wish... i wish that this wreckless drivers be burned!

they're all pretending to be good drivers but they don't. they just have the money and they doesn't care.

its pretty obvious how they change their wives... simply like exchanging their cellphones. dahh.....

By Greeker• 2 Jun 2008 09:24
Greeker

I never move too. If i am going by the speedlimit and if someone flash the lights behind me, i just let them exercise their fingers on the left hand. I NEVER move. If they hit me from behind, its their problem.

But the only downside is he/she overtakes through the right, get in front of me and suddenly brake, just to get back at me. But sadly, by that time, i would have already crossed over to the midle lane.

I am not generalising by saying this and i dont think every arab does this. But they just cant do what they want just because its their country. I piss them off whenever i can. Let them hang me for it, goddammit!

By HAPPYDAY• 2 Jun 2008 09:21
HAPPYDAY

thats the problem mr paul, they wana be stupid and take their own life, thats one thing but as in this story it the poor, son, father, husband, father, friend that had no say in it that lost his life!!

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 09:11
anonymous

These guys have NO patience or road manners at all, no wonder Saudi has the highest fatality rate in the world.

They might be in a rush to meet Allah, but im bloody not !!

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By venerate_mani• 2 Jun 2008 09:08
venerate_mani

yeah he should go to jail and also should pay the blood money well both doesnt bring the dead one to alive but the lesson must be taught to guy.So other get the lesson of irresponsible driving Oh God ! its terrible to drive in qatar

By logicsays• 2 Jun 2008 09:06
logicsays

The way of raising a child makes a difference is how responsible he or she is in terms of respecting others, their lifes and property ...

This is the real problem .. the law will not solve it!

By HAPPYDAY• 2 Jun 2008 09:04
HAPPYDAY

i only move out of their way when i can tell they WONT SLOW DOWN, i this its a sixth sence u get when u start driving!!!

By anonymous• 2 Jun 2008 09:02
anonymous

Well, I dont think so......

Nor will they even learn to b patience......

God save us....

By novita77• 2 Jun 2008 09:01
novita77

gypsy ... if they should go to jail i think this place will need more jails to be built in the country !

By Gypsy• 2 Jun 2008 09:01
Gypsy

I don't move, I let them figure out a way around me. Frankly I enjoy pissing them off.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

By brandylady• 2 Jun 2008 08:59
Rating: 4/5
brandylady

i am only suprised they were going so slow!!!!!!

Often have to switch lanes to make way for impatient drivers flashing headlights and beeping to get by, don't think they will ever change, if only they could realise that by driving more carefully and showing more road sense, the traffic would flow a lot more easily and fewer fatalities

By Gypsy• 2 Jun 2008 08:57
Gypsy

ARRGGHH! He should go to jail not pay blood money.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

By HAPPYDAY• 2 Jun 2008 08:56
HAPPYDAY

WILL these people never learn???

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