Turn them in
I just have to share a most unpleasant road experience I had on the way to work this morning.
On approaching a roundabout (which shall remain anonymous), I found myself suddenly tailgated by an white Landcruiser driven by a Guess who? (if you answered "a Qatari" you's be 100% right). Normally I'd move to the right lane and let him go his merry way. However this time I was hemmed in by a line of large trucks and could not possibly make a lane change. Besides I was about to make a left turn at the roundabout so decided to stay in the inside lane.
The psychotic driving the landcruiser suddenly took offence at my failure to exit "his" lane and came so close as to almost ram me. he then attempted to climb the curb and force me out of the lane. I managed to speed up and avoid him. When I reached the roundabout he forced his way between the adjoining truck and my car with literally inches to spare. he then drove deliberately in front of me forcing me to swerve into the roundabout center. he then slowed to a crawl as if daring me to collide with him. When I went to exit my car and confront him - he sped off like the low coward he is.
On arriving at work I related this incident to my HR manager (who is a Qatari). He was sympathetic and suggested I get the number plate if this happens again and that he would happily accompany me to the police station to file a report. When I suggested that my word as a mere expat would amount to nothing - he disagreed and reassured me that the new government traffic laws are meant to be directed at fools like these - who he also despises having been on the end of their bullying antics.
So comrades, if you have a Qatari friend or a Qatari manager - get their number plates in future and turn the B**stards in.
(Oh - don't do this if they are driving a huge black Merc or BMW - you maight just be running in with a Govt Minister.)
David R
everyone's crazy on roads, no respect no regards for the others. Qataris have big cars and they tend to do it more but lately I have seen people from nationalities tailgating and flashing their lights.
My Qatari friends tell me that Qataris love and I mean love taunting westerners driving small sedans on the roads with their big SUV's...I asked why??? It's fun and nothing else to do is their response!!
I have to admit, when I'm in the car with my Qatari friends (I do have a soft spot for them) driving is more of a breeze. Something we have to deal with whilst here I guess.
'Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world'
and also u can rent a land crouser or SUV
we are there for u
no.1 in qatar
I sincerely doubt you will get anywhere with the police I have lived here over 15 years and never got a policemen to do his job in any respect. I am sorry to say it is mostly Qataris that run people off the road flashing lights etc. I do have a bit of a solution it worked for a friend in Kuwait its rather radical and silly but it helps. Wear a headress like Qataris they still bother you on the road but not quite as much. Myself as a women have almost thought to do it just to see if I get a different reaction. My husband is Qatari and we had 2 Qatari women the other night flashing their lights trying to get us to move, we only do so if safe. At least since we didn't move they didn't then throw themselves in front of us, this is a very Macho thing to do like to prove their superiority. There used to be a time only Qataris would behave badly on the roads but now I find all nationalitys making me crazy. I am finding Qataris are getting as arrogant as the Kuwaitis there seems to be a correlation between an increase in wealth seems to mean an increase in arrogance. I have taken down many license numbers but never got around to pursue it, I think Brigadir Mohammed Al-Malki might listen! Good luck and play it safe and stay alive.
I agree Frog - most Qataris are respectful on the road and I've been personally shown courtesy by Qatari drivers on many occasions as a pedestrian.
Let me state now that this driver was no young hoon - he was an respectable looking middle aged Qatari - He turned off into the government sector near the roundabout which leads me to believe he was a govt employee.
Having said the above, I categaorically believe that this place has the absolute worst maniac drivers I have ever encountered - and that includes experience in a number of third world countries and Riyadh. Ignorance and aggression on the road seems to be the norm here - my wife gets cut off and nearly run off the road virtually every second day on the way to school and back. I'll personally eat all my hats when I come across a Qatari in one of those damned Landcruisers that actually gives way on a roundabout.
There's a good reason why the government has introduced the toughest road rules in the middle east. It's to curb these idiots who have no respect for other users of the road. I personally will have no hesitation in reporting them to the police - that's if I don't end up braining one of them first!
Who?
oh! me? :P
Don't worry they don't surf internet. They got better things to do not like us who are plastered to QL :)
Do you ever wonder, since this is a public forum, that the young boy-racers read our moans, groans and terror stories about the driving here and maybe get a kick out of scaring the bejesus out of us?
Just a thought ...
Richer123 - Give me the no., time and date. I have friends there to deal with this kind of shxt. In fact he encourages us to do that.
I was nearly taken out by a lunatic taxi driver. I was driving along the C ring at about 100kph. Yes, I know I was speeding as the speed limit there is 80kph. However, my 100 was too slow for the Mowsalat driver who veered past me at easily 120 and then swerved back into my lane when it was obvious he was about to rear end a truck. I had to brake very sharply with my tires squaling to avoid hitting him. When we reached the traffic lights I could see that the taxi had a front seat passenger who was also a Mowsalat employee. They were both wearing a uniform. I made a signal to them that I was writing down their license plate number down. As soon as the light changed, the taxi screeched off again at great speed.
I called Mowsalat and reported the taxi number. The guy on the phone took my deatils and said someone would contact me. No one did.
Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary. Mahatma Gandhi
Damn you Now I have to fly in a whole team of specialist technicians to fix the damage. Insurance refused to pay. They said their insurance only cover cruising through waters. crusing through dry conditions has not been included.
I do not know whether I have any money left for Thursday night drinking.
It was me who hit your high-speed boat yesterday at abuhamour roundabout :D
Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise
This people think Qatar Traffic law not applicable for them.
They need counseling and orientation from the Pre School
it self.
Frog - What happened to your Range Rover Sport 2007 model. Why change such a new car? confused.
Sure not everybody wearing Arabian dress is a Qatari. There are other nationalities that put on the same dress. I guess if I do that I may look like a Qatari , but I'm waiting for my landcruiser.
Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise
Frog - The problem is that we assumed that everyone wearing an Traditional Arabian dress is a Qatari which is not true.
yes u r rite ..........but sometimes u will get lucky coz there are many police personnels who can take care of these things, coz this spoils there image......i met many good police ppl.
David , you know , there were so many posts narrating similar stories. It 's road rage, and we can do nothing about it. Referring to Qataris may misled people in thinking that only Qataris do such things. Personally I don't think so. There are people from variety of nationalities that turns to demons while driving their car. We may met such people all over the world not only in Doha. To be honest, the majority of Qataris are really respectful while driving especially inside the city. They often let pedestrians cross first, and they seem to be quite friendly. Expeptions do not make the rule of course. Keep safe and don't worry you'll be fine .
Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise
But don't lost 2 riyals for calling police.They do nothing .
"Drink Beer Save Water"
u r rite......but you will notice that Big Merc or BMW ppl dont do this kind Sh*t.....only youngsters mostly in land crusiers dont this things......this is my personnel experience......simple get the plate number and report it to police.