Car parking

I hate driving in Doha. I started driving just around 3 yrs ago, when son started school. Everytime you came out of the house you always find the road closure somewhere.

Lane discipline is not exist in Doha. Getting ready pulling out in roundabout is a nightmare. I dont drive 4 WD car, so sometimes i get squashed in the middle lane trying to go straight in the roundabout.

You can expect ppl on the left hand lane wanted to turn right and vice versa.

Parking in City Centre is bad now ... one of the reason skycrapper outside city centre dont provide adequate carpark. So their staffs ended up parked the car in City Centre and walk to their office.

I never goes to the souq driving ... if I do normally drag hubby to take me there.

Thanks god I never use Hamad Hospital carpark ... hubby company have their own clinic.

Try to go around (used to be) airport roundabout area during peak hours ... you will stuck in there for god knows how long.

Yes you cant beat them join them ... I agree with AusM. I used to used indicator all the time everytime you change lanes, but it is ended up ppl speeding up behind you and won't give way for you. So I guess you know what I did.

Ppl driving slow in the fast lane with their mobile phone really irritates me.

How about ppl drive 1mm against your back bumper while you doing 100 kmph in 80kmph speed limit with flashing their headlight???

Oh grrr ... i can go on forever talking about driving in Doha.

My theory has been if you cant beat them join them, eventually you just end up driving the same :)

How much is car insurance in Doha?

The Gulf times published an article about speed cameras a couple of days ago...Looks like they're going to be installed all over Doha soon. Mmmm, would like to see that happening.

As you all know, I come from South Africa....... here we have the Minibus Taxi.....

I suppose you could call them a form of public transport, mainly used by our african counter parts as their main way to get around......

Anyone that has been to S A will vouch for the fact that the drivers of these taxis are a menace on the road, mainly because of their greed in wanting to get somewhere at neckbreak speed so that they can pick up more passengers...... if you hear that there's been an accident, in 99% of the cases, you can be rest assured that a taxi has been involved.

My point is this...... after being in Qatar and seeing the way people drive there.... You can give me a S A minibus taxi anyday.....

I am not a nervous driver, or passenger for that matter, but while I was in Qatar, I was a wreck......and I was sitting passenger the whole time...... it is going to be interesting when i actually start driving there...... maybe, should start driving like everyone else... then I won't be so nervous......heaven help S A when I decide to return, along with my bad road habits.......

better be careful then, i use the north road to ras laffan and sometimes i do go a little fast when the road is clear.

Respect

GIASI

GIASI,

Don't know about now but they used (after 1995) to have mobile speed cameras located on roads out of town, usually the Dukhan road (including at night) and in-car cameras that caught more than one person from the Dukhan Golf Club rushing to make his tee-off.

It is the "not knowing" what the car next to me is going to do next that drives me crazy! My husband applies this rule: Think of the logical move the driver should do and be sure that he will do the opposite. It works!

I really dont see parking as a problem... mind you... im comparing it to dubai and london so qatar is relatively ok.

The City Centre car park is too small. the designers obviouslly messed that one up. But there used to be a big patch of waste ground just next to it where i found it convenient, but i guess that must be closed because they were planning to build on it. i havent been there in months.

Driving? i can honestly say that doha is the worst place i have ever driven in. You need to keep your wits about you. if you suffer from road rage, i suggest you bring some sedatives with you before attempting to drive :)

Bad road manners and speeding are the norm probably due to the indifference of the traffic police and the absence of speed cameras (if anyone has seen one, please tell me).

Other than that.... its great :)

Respect

GIASI

HEHEHE, Dentist you're right. Parking is getting hard in recent times,guess I don't take the car that often cos a)husband takes it work almost everyday now and b)I've developed some kind of phobia to driving recently and think I might need expert medical help when I leave Qatar to overcome my phobia and be able to operate a car again.

I don't really see how parking is not a problem here!!!!

Parking at Hamad general hospital (usually when you go there you are really sick...right???) is a horrible experience that you might remember for many days to follow.

Parking at the city center is not even a possibility on thursday, friday or saturday or any holiday.

Parking downtown....just like any other downtown worldwide...you either get a ticket or get bumped into by some beginner trying to park their car.

Driving in Doha is horrible...once you're on the roads you will realise you are driving in Bombay.

Hi John,

Car crime is unknown here... Qatar is a very safe place.

Welcome to Qatar, things are much easier down here. Though Doha traffic is a nightmare nowadays, it's much better than most big cities i think. When road contruction is finished - hopefull soon - there will be very little traffic.

Car parking is not a worry at all but, driving around Doha is what you need to worry about. People don't flow traffic rules or even common sense.So to become familiar, I advice that you drive around Doha on Friday/Saturday mornings - there is hardly any traffic then. You will at least get use to manouvering round-about and explore the city.

I think it's worth buying a car if you're staying any longer than six months.

Doha is one of the safest places in world i think.

easy

Welcome to Qatar, things are much easier down here. Though Doha traffic is a nightmare nowadays, it's much better than most big cities i think. When road contruction is finished - hopefull soon - there will be very little traffic.

Car parking is not a worry at all but, driving around Doha is what you need to worry about. People don't flow traffic rules or even common sense.So to become familiar, I advice that you drive around Doha on Friday/Saturday mornings - there is hardly any traffic then. You will at least get use to manouvering round-about and explore the city.

I think it's worth buying a car if you're staying any longer than six months.

take care,

easy

Thank you for your prompt response, butterfly.

'You can just leave your car anywhere'! That sounds both idyllic fo rthe individual and chaotic for the city! Is car crime ever a problem?

Yes john, butterfly is quite right. Taxis are really not an option if you need reliable transport and/or live in secluded areas (which in the main is most of the place). Traffic is a big problem but nothing you wouldnt be used to in a major city. Theres alot of roadwork going on and the quality of diversions is terrible which doesnt help your cars suspension.

Parking is quite plentiful, even though often makeshift.

I suggest you hire a small car (say honda civic) for around 1700-1800 riyals a month for the first month to experience driving and parking around the city first hand, whilst you get a more permenant solution.

Respect

GIASI

Hi John,

Yes, buy yourself a car. Taxis are hard to find in Doha. Traffic is a nightmare but there's plenty of parking space and carparks. Parking's easy, you can just leave your car anywhere.