Survey Gives Drivers in Qatar Poor Rating 41%
By Riham el-Houshi
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A survey carried out by Gulf Times has shown that 41% feel that Qatar is the worst country to drive in.Second with 23% was Egypt, and third Saudi Arabia.
The respondents, who had to have driven in three or more countries to be counted, cited speed and lack of respect of traffic signals as the main reasons for their choice of Qatar.
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“I am too scared to drive here,” said Simona Andrias, a Romanian who since moving to Qatar three years ago depends on her husband to take her everywhere.
“Speed limits do not apply here,” said Taylor Streetor, an American.
“People are not disciplined here, because if you have the right connections, you can get out of paying the fine,” said Pinkie Salvador, a Filipino.
Officer Abdel Rahman al-Malki, of the Awareness Sector in the Traffic Department, thinks it’s an exaggeration to say Qatar is the worst country in the world to drive in, but agrees that the country has a serious speeding problem.
“The number of deaths in 2008 increased from that in 2007,” he said. “We’ve implemented new laws and fines, but we’ll have to wait and see their effect on 2009 statistics.”
In Qatar, the number of road accidents last year was 20,455, with approximately 200 deaths, according to the Traffic Department.
The accidents prompted the Qatari government to put in place a new points system whereby a person caught speeding or breaking a traffic light would pay a heavy fine of QR6,000 and receive a point.
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After 14 points, the driver is put in prison.
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According to the World Health Organisation, the highest rate of road deaths in the world is found in Africa and other developing countries, such as India and Pakistan, where traffic accidents kill more than HIV/Aids, malaria and heart disease put together.
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Other countries the respondents mentioned included North Korea, Syria, Italy and Kuwait.
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http://gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=304346&ver...
Be serious...
He is actually Baron Horst von Waldthausen .. The famous driver of yesteryear :O)
Now I remember you!
MD...you're Michael Schumacher! :)
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I have driven Formula 1 (under a different name). Qatar is harmless compared to that. There is no traffic. It's a mere 350 000 cars. And most of the drivers are afraid when you show them your muscles. Guys, be brave, don't give up. It's a Kindergarten!
To prepare yourself about driving in Italy, first you should take a look at this funny Flash video about Italians:
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http://www.infonegocio.com/xeron/bruno/italy.html
Have to agree with Britex, I havent driven in Eygpt but driving Here in Qatar is a doddle compared to Saudi!
don't find it too bad here (but lot worse than Milan, Rome, Damascus,Bangkok), Worst Place I have driven is in Beijing.
Having driven in Qatar, Saudi and Egypt, I would put Egypt worst, Saudi second and Qatar third.
I NEVER felt that driving in Qatar is that worse.
who post twice by mistake?
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
Although Africa is considered the worst, they do not have the advantage (in much of the continent) of excellent roads, cars in good repair (usually), good lighting and signage.
Qatar has all of the above.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
Yes, agree Rome is worse too. And Milan. Didn't find Bangkok too bad.
Amoud, Syria is mentioned right at the bottom of the article.
This article is old news...21st July.
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Agree Tall, waaaay worse. Lots more worse than Qatar...Tehran, Beirut, Rome, Bangkok, Mumbai to name but a few.
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I cant believe Syria in not in the poll. I can drive here but in Syria considering driving as an extreme sport is putting it lightly.
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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
Egypt is way worse than Qatar.