Driving
Hi All, I have been researching living in Qatar, and think I have covered all areas, my now main cause for concern is driving.
I have read lots of comments that people die on a daily basis on the roads and you really take your life in your hands whilst driving,
Could someone please advise as I will need to drive for schools, activities etc, and I have 2 young children so am really concerned, also I read a comment somewhere that if you have an accident you are immediatly deported - is this true, as it sounds very harsh
Any advise anyone could give would be much appreciated as this is a huge decision for me to make
Many Thanks Clare (Nobsters wife, havem't got round to setting myself up with a log-in)
Horns must be tested regularly (every few seconds).
In addition, a nano-second is defined as the time between the lights turning green and the bloke behind blowing his horn.
... were lifted off a blog of a guy living here his address is www.prufrockstar.org I think they are spot on
(1) Don’t use turn signals under any circumstance, except perhaps to signal that you’re exiting a roundabout from the left lane. Signalling a lane change is a sign of weakness.
(2) Qataris always have the right of way. In any traffic dispute with a Qatari, you will lose. This also applies to nabbing parking spots.
Guidelines:
(1) Be decisive. Any hesitation may spell your downfall.
(2) Pay no attention to what’s happening to your right when you’re in a roundabout. It’s more unsettling than anything, and you’re probably better not knowing how many times you narrowly avert disaster.
(3) When in doubt, drive faster and talk on your cell phone. You’ll fit right in.
(4) You can gain access to most security gates simply by waving at the gaurd.
Finding your way:
(1) Navigate using roundabouts, not street names. Unfortunately, I know the name and location of only 7 roundabouts: ball roundabout, burger king roundabout, TV roundabout, tilted roundabout, decoration roundabout, sports roundabout, and rainbow roundabout, so my navigation abilities are rather limited.
(2) If you run into water, you’ve gone too far east. If you run into desert you’ve gone too far in some other direction - turn around.
I too love driving in Doha, there is a method to the madness.
Just use your mirros and pay attention. Expect the un expected and drive the biggest 4x4 you can afford.
When approaching roundabout ensure you are either a) On the phone, or b) Typing a text. Also never look left on a roundabout, if you can't see the Camry, it's isn't there !
...kiwis have got to be the worst drivers in the world. I can't wait to get out to Qatar for some easy drivin'!
thanks for your responses, much appreciated, I'm coming for a vistit in April as Nobster is moving the beginning of next month, then I'll make my decision, all quite overwhleming at the moment, so many things to think about - really appreciate any advice - what is the situation about what you can wear - unfortunatly after 2 kids, hots pants and crop tops are not my usual attire!!! But I don't want to be completly covered up, also how do people cope with the 45 degree weather in the summer ,
wow
Can one survive without a car? Can I just use the taxi and public transport. Je prefere
One of the leading causes of death and disability in the Middle East is road traffic injuries. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2020 road traffic injuries will be the third leading cause of disability adjusted years of life lost worldwide.1 Our analysis of the International Road Federation's world road statistics found that five countries in the Middle East are among the highest road traffic death rates in the world.2 The table shows that the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait all had more than 18 deaths per 100 000 people in 2000.
[Cheeer up. the UAE has 29!]
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7573/860
It's not all that bad. It's definitely a bit wilder than in the US but you just can't let them intimidate you and then you over-react. I have 2 kids and I drive them everywhere. Lots of moms on the roads. You just can't be handing out the cheerios and trying to find dropped toys and look out for the Landcruiser that just came up on your a*s out of nowhere flashing their lights for you to move because they're more important than you. :)
No automatic deportation for accidents - just don't move your car one inch until the cops arrive, even if you're blocking 4 lanes of traffic.
Erm....how on earth did you get the idea thst people die daily on the road? That is just crazy... the driving can be challenging because of all the different cultures but it isn't that bad.
The state of affairs on the road is quite exagerated by the folks on here. If you haven't figured out that many expats have not driven throughout the world and most seem to enjoy public transportation and walking. Being the dumb american I am and having spent a quarter million mikles on the roads in the last few years I can say it is quite fun to drive in Doha. Yes you need to pay attention and the laws are somewhat subjective but in general no one here is interested in scratching their precious automobile. If you are polite on the road and give way when necessary you will be fine. Also you are responsible for your own speed, there is no sense in trying to drive at 200 kph just to keep up wih an idiot, pull to the side and allow the morons to go by, this includes me when I come up behind you on the bike.
Yes I even commute to work 100 km a day on a motorcycle so it can't be too bad here can it now?
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?