Road Safety in Qatar
With the launching of new highways in Qatar, the speedy traffic is becoming the number 1 enemy of residents.
Though the traffic department is doing their efforts yet they are insufficient in the wake of rising dangerous accidents.
In order to make the road safe, there is a need to engage the residents on large scale for their suggestive and volunteering services for which the govt. needs to set up a high level "Road Safety Committee". This committee should be mandated to bring in new technologies and ideas that could give guidance to the new drivers and ensure road safety.
Mobile radars, locking of speedo-meters on optimum speed limit, regular awareness campaigns, car to car contact and training of new drivers should also be strengthened.
Moreover the driver's licensing age should be increased from 18 to 21.
Another good solution is to reduce the maximum speed limit on main roads by only 10 Kilometer, and that would definitely bring down the fatal accidents to much lower level.
Mobile radars mounted on the police cars in many countries are playing very important role in curbing unlicensed drivers and speed related accidents.
Equin0x...such committees will not bring much awareness among nationals & expat residents, unless strict and rigid actions are taken against such violators. Fine amounts are low. Most Locals violate the laws are barely pay the fines through their so called "High Connections" and "Waasta-Approach". If you know the very recent tragic accident that happened on Hamad Airport road in which a Filipino family with their friends were burned to death by some rash land cruiser guy who even fledged the crime scene. Do you think if he is a local national, he will be punished un-biased in court ?
Think if the same accident happened by an Asian guy who would have killed or even injured locals, then the scene, verdict and decision of court would be totally opposite in that poor Asian guy will be given death sentence in no time !!
So, its not about minimum age limit, speed cameras, frequency of police patrolling on roads (very less in Qatar) but its all about how much one considers the value of his/her own life and about the lives of others who will get affected from such incidents...
With all the fines and strict traffic regulations here in qatar, still there are lots of driver out there who never care and i will give you one..DRIVING WITH MOBILE PHONES! I never missed a day to see drivers (expat & local) do used cellphones while on the wheel. Another common practice is overtaking at right lane, especially during traffic jam. The latest car accident that killed 5 expats maybe one of above is the reason.
Put undercover traffic cops on the road with recording cameras inside thier vehicles.
agree with you Equinox. just like the last tragic incident involving 5 deaths, apparently the 18 year old driver of the other vehicle is driving at the speed of 180kph when he hit the car of the victims. the local driver has no license and the car has no istimara, apparently...
That will really help in a big way ..................... Thu, 08.10.2014, 08.51 hrs