LandCrusher Game - Tips for Driving in Doha

There is a deadly game on the roads in Doha and I call it the LandCrusher game - as a play on the word LandCruiser - the name of the Toyota SUV.

I personally have had two males in "LandCrushers" try to run into me on or after roundabouts (British traffic circles) because I did not get out of their way fast enough when they flashed their lights. One male was actually in his 50's and not young at all - and he behaved in this manner during Ramadan of all times! I could see them screaming and yelling and gesturing at me.

The older one kept driving ahead and stopping in the road and then waiting for me to catch up so that he could ram me. What incensed him was that as I left a roundabout he came up upon me suddenly and started flashing his lights. I did not know if the right lane was clear so had to check over my shoulder before getting out of his way. This totally put the driver over the top! He went berserk and then tried to ram me! The next roundabout was less than 400 meters away so it was the height of stupidity to speed so much to get to it! The reason the driver was so angry was that I did not get out of his importance's way FAST enough for his liking - so he chose to try and intimidate me and force me off the road as a lesson.

As the Southern American Sherrif says "Ask me how high AFTER I tell you to jump BOY!" Very similar and laughable if it wasn't so dangerous...

The other incident happened in a roundabout. The young driver sped up super fast in the right lane of the roundabout and then yanked over to hit me in the left lane. He almost flipped his vehicle over! I was in the left lane because I was taking the third exit - (something these drivers choose not to do of course). I could see his erratic driving so was ready and jammed the brakes only to see his vehicle go on two tires as he desperately compensated for missing my car and in an attempt not to hit the curb of the roundabout island. He was very lucky he got out of that without killing himself as the other rule for young males is not to wear seatbelts. I admit I laughed out loud because it was so insanely ludicrous.

This is the LandCrusher 'game' they play and everyone knows it.

Be careful when you drive, if a SUV stops in the road for no reason do not pass him, just pull in behind him and stop. Otherwise they will ram you or try and force you off the road.

If they blink their lights be aware as they become highly unstable and angry.

Understand that if you are killed by a speeding driver nothing of consequence will happen to him or her. There is always another expat to take your place to do whatever work you do.

I have also noticed that more women are on the roads and they are picking up the habits of the men. One of the guys at my workplace was just totalled by a speeding woman in a large GMC that ran a red light. His vehicle had roof air bags which saved his life. Perhaps women will also play the LandCrusher game soon?

I now understand that experienced drivers automatically go in the right lane after exiting a roundabout even though that is dangerous and illegal in Britain!

My advice: just collect your money and go home alive when you have enough.

Drive as little as possible and do not drive at night.

Be aware that you do NOT pass a SUV driver that was previously speeding as he is setting you up for an accident.

When you exit a roundabout in ANY lane go to the right regardless of how wrong that is. Your job is not to teach people how to drive or behave in a civilized manner - it is to get out with the cash for your family and get home in one piece.