Is it true that if you turn up at the airport to go on holiday, and you have unpaid traffic fines, they don't let you leave the country till they're paid?

How does one appeal a traffic violation? I have just discovered I got a 200QR fine for parking outside the airport waiting for my husband - but the traffic cop there saw me and said it was ok to stay for a few minutes! He didn't tell me he was going to fine me!

And is the online payment service at www.e.gov.qa ever going to come back?!