Mixed reactions from citizens for ban on overtaking
A recent decision of the Traffic Department to strictly implement the provision of the law which bans overtaking from right side has evoked mixed reaction from citizens.
Vehicles getting involved in the violation could face confiscation for one month or more besides fines. The department recently warned of stern action against vehicles overtaking from right side and parking in slots dedicated for the disabled.
Following the warning, traffic police have seized many cars over the past one week for violating the law, a local Arabic daily reported yesterday.
Most citizens are appreciative of the move, but some feel that impounding cars is too harsh a punishment for a violation of this sort. “The Traffic Department should know the reason why people are violating the law. Traffic jams and the habit of some people driving so slow on highways force other motorists to overtake from the right side to avoid delays,” the daily quoted a citizen, Saad Eisa Al Kaabi, as saying.
“The department should use social media to raise awareness on this issue,” he added.
“This law was issued for the benefit of the people and then why it was neglected. People can complain when the department goes beyond the law. There is no way to stop such violations except implementing the law very strictly. Fines are not sufficient to discipline people,” said Haroon Al Jesaiman, another citizen.
He said overtaking from right side involves an aggression on the rights of other motorists who respect the law.
“Seizing cars is too much and a very tough action. The department should also punish those who drive very slowly. If they maintain the right speed, none is going to overtake them from right,” said Abdullah Al Tamimi.
According to Dr Saif Al Hajri, a prominent Qatari academic and environmentalist, the law has been enforced after a surge in violations which have led to so many accidents
“Most of those drivers have made it a habit. It is an uncivilised behaviour. I support implementation of this law,” said Al Hajri.
He said those who drive slow should also be punished. “There are people driving at speeds of 40 or 50 (km per hour) on roads where the speed limit is 100. This forces some people to violate the law,” he said.
“Instead of seizing cars why don’t they increase the fine,” asked Abdullah Fakhroo, adding that he is not against this rule, especially the one related to parking in areas dedicated for the disabled.
The Peninsula | Photo by Muhammad Kamran Qureshi
Just Guide during drive :
1.Control your self car
2.Monitor Back/right /Left
3.take care with car front side...Insha allah you will safe.Amiinnn
Whose person drive the car sure he/she has driving licence and Know the law during taken licence at driving school....except stupid one
There are lots of confusion regarding on which lane you are in.The MOI Traffic Dept should mark all hi-ways regarding the lane number (i.e. lane 3 for 120kph fast moving vehicles, lane 2 100kph vehicles & lane 1 for Buses/Trucks/Slow moving vehicles) extra lane for Qataris.lol!
The worst offenders don't care about their cars being impounded when they have another five cars at home.
Whew! Im confused after reading all comments above..some made a good point, other are just dragging the issue. The new rule is good for everyone, but it has to be implemented properly..until today i have seen many suv's doing that overtaking from right why because the none LC car was force to do so when the huge LC start blinking the headlights and even more worse..so sad.
even increasing the fine for this kind of violations wont make a change for drivers who wont care because they can afford it...but seize the vehicle for a month or more with fine...they will start to abide the law and become responsible drivers..
haha some people commented here doesn't know what 100 speed limit is.
maybe they think that 100 should be the MINIMUM speed limit for slow drivers... hahaha...
...........so does this mean that if you are in the first lane of the highway you are not supposed to get out from this lane till the end of your journey unless you are making an exit from the highway. Or you can get into the next (2nd) lane but not supposed to get back again into the first lane through out your journey. Correct me if my understood is wrong.
wait a minute, people don't overtake from the right if it isn't necessary, they would rather drive straight! So to be fair punish those who road hog well below limit on the fast lane. But what about those who cut all three lanes from the right side road to get to the far left lane at signals to make a left turn? This is even more serious and dangerous.
drivers should be educated about the road lanes. The real problem here is people can get driving licenses easily and most of all, no respect to fellow road users.
What about those land cruiser horning bakala?
WILL they fine the locals also
You are right, Khalliwalli. There's no law saying you have to be at 100 if the limit is 100kph but there is a lane for slow moving vehicles also. In Salwa highway for example, some bus used to stay in 2nd lane and move at a rate of 60 to 70 kph. They must be some special kind of stupid I presume. I encounter this a lot because I am using that road twice a day.
So there ll be fine 4 all either u r slow or fast doesn't matter. @ MM, Nice pose.
Give continues horn to driver too slow in front of yours to taking to the right side track
Crazy driver should be punished, for 4x4 wheel drivers 500 Riyal is nothing they don't bother about traffic fines or others life. This morning also had a serious accident in Salwa road from a crazy driver (youngsters). I am sure someone lost their life today in this accident. I am trying to avoid highways these days most dangerous people who are trying to give hazard to drivers from point to point speed from backside with head light on and giving tension to motorists, they don't bother accident happen to us if we change the track immediately. They want to fly? last week on the way to school with my kids one national did the same to me when I change the track after bit moment he gave me hard time then he open his window he spitted on my vehicle?!! This is the way few nationals are behaving to foreigners?! If we go for complaint we will be the culprit here.
I *had* to break the law because the person in front of me wasn't going fast enough? Who are these people who think that LAWS are only to be followed when it's convenient for them, but should be ignored when they are in a hurry? Morons.
yeah exactly its true...
“There are people driving at speeds of 40 or 50 (km per hour) on roads where the speed limit is 100. This forces some people to violate the law,
Who driver to slow should be on right side / slow track
Precious life is being wasted only when we are blocked from the front by slow drivers who won't move to right because they don't look into the rear view mirror to find out that somebody is just behind them & people in other cars have to reach somewhere .............. Tue , 17.06.2014 , 08.33 hrs
Welcome '' ..... He said those who drive slow should also be punished. ''' Tue , 17.06.2014 , 08.30 hrs