Published: Thursday, 13 October, 2005, 10:46 AM Doha Time
By Arvind Nair
TRAFFIC police have stepped up their vigil against sneaky drivers who try to overtake vehicles by driving up on the shoulder road.
Overtaking from the right side itself is an offence, Col Mohamed Abdullah al-Malki, deputy director of the Traffic Department, told Gulf Times yesterday. But, trying to be oversmart and sneaking up the shoulders will not be condoned at all, said the official, who is also the head of the current National Campaign for Preventing Road Accidents.
Overtaking from the right has become rampant and this will be stamped out completely, he stressed.
Besides traffic patrolmen, officials in civil dresses will keep a close watch on offenders. Other motorists may also report violators by calling 4890666.
Under the new rules, which could come into effect as early as Monday, heavy vehicles of more than three tonnes have been altogether prohibited from overtaking moving vehicles. Besides, they must stick to the right lane at all times. Violators will be penalised with a fine of QR3,000.
The new fine for jumping the red light too has been raised from QR1,000 to QR3,000 under the new rules.
People can also call 4890666 with suggestions, if any, on improving road safety, the official said.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Department is about to start an awareness campaign on the new amendments. It will be distributing thousands of illustrated leaflets to motorists at roundabouts and other places. They are printed in English and Arabic.
Col al-Malki urged motorists and others in the country to “join” the national safety campaign by adopting right habits and obeying rules. “Help us reduce accidents. If you help us, you are helping yourself”.
People can also join the campaign by informing the department about violations by others. The department will soon set up a hotline and special office for the campaign, he added. Until the hotline is fixed, the department number 4890666 could be used.
The campaign aims at reducing accidents and deaths on the roads.
The official said the traffic had now become “normal” except for the longer wait at the junctions. This is natural because of the accumulation of the number of vehicles and road repairs.
“This happens anywhere in the world”. The department has posted policemen at most junctions during rush hours and people have also got used to the diversions and closures.
The traffic is now much easier than a week ago, said Col al-Malki.
Watch on sneaky drivers
Published: Thursday, 13 October, 2005, 10:46 AM Doha Time
By Arvind Nair
TRAFFIC police have stepped up their vigil against sneaky drivers who try to overtake vehicles by driving up on the shoulder road.
Overtaking from the right side itself is an offence, Col Mohamed Abdullah al-Malki, deputy director of the Traffic Department, told Gulf Times yesterday. But, trying to be oversmart and sneaking up the shoulders will not be condoned at all, said the official, who is also the head of the current National Campaign for Preventing Road Accidents.
Overtaking from the right has become rampant and this will be stamped out completely, he stressed.
Besides traffic patrolmen, officials in civil dresses will keep a close watch on offenders. Other motorists may also report violators by calling 4890666.
Under the new rules, which could come into effect as early as Monday, heavy vehicles of more than three tonnes have been altogether prohibited from overtaking moving vehicles. Besides, they must stick to the right lane at all times. Violators will be penalised with a fine of QR3,000.
The new fine for jumping the red light too has been raised from QR1,000 to QR3,000 under the new rules.
People can also call 4890666 with suggestions, if any, on improving road safety, the official said.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Department is about to start an awareness campaign on the new amendments. It will be distributing thousands of illustrated leaflets to motorists at roundabouts and other places. They are printed in English and Arabic.
Col al-Malki urged motorists and others in the country to “join” the national safety campaign by adopting right habits and obeying rules. “Help us reduce accidents. If you help us, you are helping yourself”.
People can also join the campaign by informing the department about violations by others. The department will soon set up a hotline and special office for the campaign, he added. Until the hotline is fixed, the department number 4890666 could be used.
The campaign aims at reducing accidents and deaths on the roads.
The official said the traffic had now become “normal” except for the longer wait at the junctions. This is natural because of the accumulation of the number of vehicles and road repairs.
“This happens anywhere in the world”. The department has posted policemen at most junctions during rush hours and people have also got used to the diversions and closures.
The traffic is now much easier than a week ago, said Col al-Malki.