Driving in Qatar is like War
So I finally got my Qatari driving license and got a car. I have been driving for decades, mind you, but here in Qatar driving is like war. A great number of people, especially with Land Cruisers, expect you to fly because they do not want to drive behind you. They come very fast, honk and make hand gestures, and then swerve around you and back in front of you while honking. Problem is not only Land Cruisers but that’s the ones I noticed the most. Others in pick up trucks and other heavy machinery want you off the road so that they go. It doesn’t matter what speed you drive, there is a person behind you flashing the lights, honking, and making hand gestures so that you go fasters. Common courtesy is simply non existent when people are behind the steering wheel. Do they not realize that there reckless driving endangers others’ lives? Or do they just not care? Why is it this way? What can be done to fix this devastating problem?
double post - sorry
1. It was always a joke amongst us expats in Jeddah (all the young Saudi lads drove flashy Transams in those days) that to pass your driving test there you first had to learn to drive with one hand leaning out of the window, dangling a cigarette, and the other hand permanently on the car horn. I didn't think all the impatient and random hooting bothered me until I was back in UK waiting for traffic lights to change to green - just as they went green the person behind me hooted their horn. I nearly got out to hit him! Moral of story. Delayed frustration? (and in UK not scared of the guy behind me too I guess lol)
2. We lived in Iraq during their war with Iran in the early 80s. When family asked if I was scared I told them I was more likely to die on the roads there than as a victim of the shelling. It was nothing to see a huge oil or water tanker coming towards you on a two-way road with another huge tanker over-taking the first, thus blocking your road and forcing you into the ditch!
3. In a car with a girlfriend of mine in Doha the other day. I said 'wow! you're brave, driving on these roads!' Her comment? "This is nothing! You should try driving in Cairo!" (she has lived in Egypt for about 10 years)
I don't hear about kids stealing cars and 'joy riding', endangering everyone in sight!, in this part of the world, so maybe at least that is something to thank goodness about!
starman, if you can't beat them, join them ! :-)
I was stunned at my own attitude about driving when I came back to Canada. The same drivers who used to have me shouting and cursing and generally going insane don't bother me in the least, anymore.
At least driving in Doha has had one good effect.
Three cheers to the worst drivers in the world...!
___________________________________________
I don't have to be #1, I just have to be...
Any tool can be a hammer...
You will leave in the morining hoping that you will get to the office without been hit by some crazy drivers, Then you do the same trip back in the afternoon.
One thing about Qatar even with the Mad Max type driving no bodies cares, compare this with the UK if some would cut you then it would certaining end in confrontation ROAD RAGE.
I hear from a lot of my Colleagues is that locals are above the law, it is your fault if you do not know Arabic and secondly your a expat.
Anyway Safe driving Expats who leaned the driving in the west and please do show Road Rage.
Goodluck... Be safe!
Cheers!
"Like I always said IMHO"
:-))))))))
oops, just got a call and now need to go out and drive. wish me luck
Round-abouts need to go and traffic lights installed instead.
Speed limit should be reduced on all city streets.
More cameras please (I say this with hesitations as it intrudes on privacy)
harsh penatlies for all
loss of car/driving privilegs for repeat offenders
prison time for careless driving resulting in serious accidents
strong public education program
and, simply, a little courtesy goes a long way
I actually had a cop come up behind me and start doing that the other day. And I was already speeding! Obviously he was in a hurry to go sit his fat a$$ at MacDonalds. :P
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Smile.Isreally someone here which tries to become control over that traffic chaos in Doha?Wish you all the best guys.
But i think that is a mission impossible.
:-(
suspension of DL after 10 points. Crossing Red light 6 points and 2 speeding tickets + redlight = suspension of DL for 1 year or so.
But people can change! Maybe extremely costly fines? car impoundment?
I suggest nothing will change the driving culture for at least another 15 years
I suggest nothing will change the driving culture for at least another 15 years
Maybe the round-abouts allow drivers to keep speeding and they therefore get irritated by the least delay they encounter? I suggest installing traffic lights instead