‘Core issue not addressed’ by new traffic law
THE thrust of the new traffic law, which came into force yesterday, seems to be on fixing penalties and it has failed to address many of the maladies witnessed on the roads, popular Qatari columnist Maryam aal-Sad has stated.
“The disciplined, conscientious and law abiding motorists will still continue to feel frustrated and desperate when they find the unruly motorists devising new ways to escape from the deterrents in the new law,” she said in her column published yesterday in local Arabic daily Arrayah.
The writer was of the view that the traffic authorities have not addressed the core issue of how to evolve practical and easily applicable speed limits for every road according to its location and density of the traffic.
“The current speed limits fixed have proved to be impractical and have emboldened both the disciplined and the undisciplined motorists to resort to methods by which they could evade the prescribed limit in order to reach their destination without much delay,” aal-Sad observed.
This phenomenon is further aggravated by the ongoing road works in most areas, it is pointed out.
“The ridiculous aspect of the current speed limit is the sudden change from 100 kph to 80 kph at many points especially where the side roads get connected to the main road,” the columnist stated.
The presence of unwarranted speed breakers on many roads, the cul-de-sacs and the roads that are permanently blocked are among many other issues that need to be addressed by the authorities.
“Provision of parking lots at all the major points frequented by the public everyday to attend to their personal and official work is yet another issue that has not be taken care of,” she maintained.
It is a common sight to see vehicles parked in the most ludicrous manner near important places of business. It is an eyesore and an impossible hurdle for a motorist who wants to get beyond on that particular road.
“To sum up it appears that the new traffic law wants to penalise the entire public for the erratic behaviour of a few unruly motorists,” aal-Sad remarked.
The columnist also placed on record her gratitude and appreciation for the excellent work carried out by traffic sergeants at their respective beats regardless of heat or cold and in spite of observing fast in the holy month of Ramadan.
Driving problems nothing to do with the speed limit. That is just a classic quick fix that typifies the region. No effort required and no recognition of the true cause.
The reason the roads are unsafe is down to one simple reason. A lack of empathy.
People here seem to be incapable of perceiving that there exists in each car/pedestrian a human being with the ability of independent thought. This manifests itself in two basic issues on the roads
1 - People do not drive in anticipation that the other human can make a mistake/change their mind at any given point. This is why they don't bother to indicate/drive very close to the car in front, cross half way across a 3 lane motorway. If everything always went to plan then this would be fine but it doesn't. The human in the car in front breaks, the tyre bursts causing the car to swerve into a different lane etc etc
2 - People because they do not preceive a human have absolutely zero respect for their wishes. That is why they drive down the hard shoulder and force their way into traffic.
To tackle these issues is a lot more work and requires a good deal more driver education.
around busy areas. I disagree that speed limits are one of the major traffic problems. It just boils down to respect and knowing one can get away with outrageous and dangerous driving.