I am SO sick of this!

Gypsy
By Gypsy

Ok, there's really not mucha about this country that causes me to fly into unintelligble fits of rage anymore. I've really grown to love this place and I consider my home. However there is just one thing, that no matter how many times I see it, I want to SCREAM, drag the offender from their car and beat them into sensebility.

I'm of course talking about the COMPLETE inability of the majority of this country to buckle in their children.

Yes, rather then protect these poor little innocents, our own flesh and blood, the future of our world, Most people here see fit to use them as AIR BAGS!!!

Just today I was almost hit by a woman who decided to cross six lanes of traffic without signaling or looking because she was too busy talking to her 5 children who were running all over the car.

What kind of Stupid ----- is she? Does she want her children to die? Because seriously that's the only thing I can think of.

This Country can spend 100,000 of thousands of riyal to tell people not to spit or hang their laundry from balconies, but not to buckle in their children??

PRIORITIES PEOPLE!!!

By anonymous• 19 Feb 2009 10:42
anonymous

oh dear...sounds drastic! See! she does know sarcasm!

By journalistgirl• 19 Feb 2009 10:33
journalistgirl

Wait! I just peeled my self off the floor I was laughing so hard!

By anonymous• 19 Feb 2009 09:57
anonymous

mmmmm...I'm wondering if journalistgirl is aware of the lowest form of wit lol

By tallg• 19 Feb 2009 09:54
tallg

jouranlistgirl - i think you missed the sarcasm in dora's comment.

By GodFather.• 19 Feb 2009 09:49
GodFather.

They need some hard hitting adverts like in the UK and UAE to get the message across..

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

By anonymous• 19 Feb 2009 09:25
anonymous

journalistgirl...... Ofcourse! If you have one of those stickers or 'VIP on Board'/ 'Princess on Board' one is more or less safe from accidents because people drive safely around you because you have children on board! It obvious!

By journalistgirl• 19 Feb 2009 09:21
journalistgirl

You'll be safe just becuase u stuck a piece of plastic in u're car??? riiiiiiiight No offence DoraTheExplorer but where is u're logic? I know these folks here don't have much of it, but have you joined them too?

By anonymous• 19 Feb 2009 08:37
anonymous

Didnt HMC have a big marketing thing about carseats and were dishing them out for free or summat? Fat lot of good that did.....so you see...priorities for these parents are elsewhere.....anyway, if you have a 'child on board' thing in your car, you'll be safe anyway so who needs a carseat????

By journalistgirl• 19 Feb 2009 08:15
journalistgirl

Was on the way to work this morning, and this complete idiot (he even had a sign on his car saying "baby on board"!) driving like a complete a**hole. He wasn't Qatari at all, but even then it just highlighted how sometimes people expect others to be careful but they themselves are unwilling to be careful of their own.

It's bad saying this, but considering that they're so callous towards their own children, perhaps the best way for them to learn is to have them kill their own children and then they will live lifelong with the remorse. And then they, as "survivors" of their own infliction will be able to tell others it's not worth the irresponsibility.

Although it's not really our right as foreigners to tell the nationals what to do, I think that we, as people residing in the country, have the right to have some input. It's a matter of public safety as these children will most likely die in crashes - which will of course affect other people too. As most of this country is made up of foreigners it should be a campaign that targets foreigners and nationals alike.

It's all very well all those people telling us that we should just butt out because we're foreigners, but i guess it just depends where your priorities lie.

By britexpat• 17 Feb 2009 12:29
britexpat

We could have a "Child seat" day, where we drive a Pink KIA fitted with Britax child seats around Doha raising awareness of the issue.

By fubar• 17 Feb 2009 12:13
fubar

I'm curious about the idea of getting Sheikha Mozah involved with some sort of awareness campaign.

I have difficulty imagining her buckled up while in the back of her Maybach. Or perhaps after the Pricess Di incident...

By Paul R• 17 Feb 2009 11:57
Paul R

This link is to a recent advert in the UK, it's for reducing speed.

By cynbob• 17 Feb 2009 11:48
cynbob

Try---that's impossible!

You're beating a dead horse.

Or, in this case, you're beating a dead kid. :(

By tallg• 17 Feb 2009 11:27
tallg

fubar - refer to jj's comment above to see why people think that "their kids are SAFE while jumping up and down on the back seat", and don't think that "wearing a seltbelt makes you less likely to be hurt in an accident", and don't think that "driving while talking on a mobile phone is dangerous".

They seriously believe that if god decides you're going to die that day then you're going to die, regardless of what they do. This is the attitude that needs to be changed. That wont be easy.

By jasminejasmine• 17 Feb 2009 11:19
jasminejasmine

I have given up arguing about these issues. I have tried so hard to explain to a colleague that I don't want to risk my life driving to work 6 days a week on the Dukhan to Doha road. Since I have been here there have been many deaths on that road, mainly with women drivers being pushed off the road.

His response is that statistics, safety features, seatbelts have absoloutely no affect on your safety whatsoever. If God wants to take you, he will and that is the only factor that affects whether you will die on the road that day.

I do not want to criticse anyone's beliefs, I am just pointing out that that is what some believe.

By fubar• 17 Feb 2009 11:11
fubar

I'm with Alexa on this one.

There is no need to 'educate' people about the dangers of unrestrained passengers. No one is so stupid as to believe that their kids are SAFE while jumping up and down on the back seat.

No on needs to be told that wearing a seltbelt makes you less likely to be hurt in an accident.

No one needs to be told that driving while talking on a mobile phone is dangerous.

Deep down, even the stupidest of people, know that these things are dangerous.

The problem is just laziness. Why bother upsetting your precious darlings and forcing them into child seats when you can just bundle them into the car and away you go?

Why risk causing a temper tantrum when you tell your 3 year old to sit down?

My take on it is that the kids are unruly and undisciplined, and the parents just simply can't be bothered to take the adequate measures to protect their kids. It's got little to do with ignorance of consequences, and more to do with laziness and complacency.

You can tell some people till you are blue in the face that they should use child seats, but the thought of a toddler screaming in the back seat is more than those sorts of parents can bear.

They would rather let their kids get their own way than upset them by buckling them up.

By Roadtester• 17 Feb 2009 10:05
Roadtester

I can get hold of some road safety stuff for schools, if you are interested? We distribute copies under an agreement with the british gov to non for profits.

You have got some barriers to break down tho in terms of road safety and its perception, the phillipino engineer working with me when i was in bahrain told me when he was working in saudi that the local saudi guy pointed who ran a red light and then got into an altercation remarked - "those are for white people". Of course this is a one off but is an interesting insight picking up on on comments earlier of it being seen as "west knows best" and ramming it down their throats (even tho we know we are right)

Got to do it in such a way that you can allow them to save face.

By mom2odmj• 17 Feb 2009 09:06
mom2odmj

I agree with you, but I noticed that decent car seats here cost anywhere from 800-1000QR which is quite outrageous! I know that this is no excuse and that most Qatari's could probably afford them, but please, why not make them readily affordable to everyone?!

They need a national campaign to show the importance of using seat belts, especially the way people drive here!

Furthermore, even if the parents are buckled in the front and the kids are loose in the back, it is actually more dangerous for the parents, as in the event of a collision, the kids are thrown about like flying missiles, and should they hit the parents, they are gone too...

By amnesia• 17 Feb 2009 08:36
amnesia

@gypsy, you should join one of our awareness campaigns.

We started some time ago and in fact we're proud that we are the ones that convinced the Traffic department to launch the new ads yuo see on the streets :)

__________________________

Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

By anonymous• 16 Feb 2009 19:05
anonymous

I can't concentrate with Peppa Pig blaring out from the dvd in the car with a child strapped well and truly in let alone 5 of the buggers clambering around willy nilly in the car! Now, that must take some concentration and patience!

By anonymous• 16 Feb 2009 18:09
anonymous

Well you have to be there to see how Masjid are used as playing grounds. While mothers pray kids play on stairway

their screams are breath taking. I always feel some will end up on death bed

If we dont follow masjid ettiquettes how do you expect us to follow road rules

By fubar• 16 Feb 2009 18:02
fubar

It's all very Darwinian.

By tallg• 16 Feb 2009 17:29
tallg

The point is the kids don't know better and are being let down by their parents. We're not raising the issue cos we care about the parents losing a child - they deserve to. We're raising it because someone needs to look out for the children.

By Amoud• 16 Feb 2009 17:04
Amoud

Hmm, I got a lot of crap from some people because I agreed with abortion because it is construed as murder. These people in the same breath are some of the nutters who drive around with their kids loose in the car. _____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By anonymous• 16 Feb 2009 16:58
anonymous

Interesting take on things fubar...like a sort of 'culling' ;)

By fubar• 16 Feb 2009 16:57
fubar

Perhaps all the parents have been in a car crash or two themselves and have lost the mental faculties required for common sense.

I'm sort of with Dora on this. The way the parents drive means that the kids will die instantly in a crash. The up side of this is there is no burden on the health system, and, as another bonus, it will reduce the number of kids on the waiting lists at the schools.

The kids that don't wear seatbelts are likely to learn stupid and dangerous habits from their moronic parents and will later grow up to drive dangerously themselves. Therefore isn't it kind of a good thing that so many of them get killed off early in life long before they have a chance to kill others on the road when they hit adolescence?

I feel a bit sorry for these kids, but if their parents' driving doesn't kill them, the diet of junk food, coke and take away will probably give them chronic diabetes and heart disease by their early 20s.

It's more humane for these kids to die suddenly in a car accident then to suffer a lingering death from kidney failure.

By anonymous• 16 Feb 2009 16:57
anonymous

Well, thats my opinion its not an attitude. I have better things to do than worry about these fools and their kids flying out the window. I know my child is safely strapped in her carseat and I do too look at these mobile airbags writhing around in the front of cars and think the parents are feckin fools but it ain't my business and quite frankly I don't give a toss whether one flies through the window cos of their parents stupidity, it'll serve the parents right!

By tallg• 16 Feb 2009 16:51
tallg

Great attitude as usual Dora.

By anonymous• 16 Feb 2009 16:48
anonymous

Sorry, I have to agree with letting'em get on with it...I mean, it ain't feckin rocket science is it? Car crashes....kid flys out of window, wham bam dead kid.....Surely to goodness these people aren't that dim they can't see that...leave 'em to it I say, there obviously is no hope or no brains one of the two!

By sandy1161• 16 Feb 2009 16:42
sandy1161

As I have said earlier in the post if more people here in Qatar joined the group on facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19861421940 and invited all there friends the group would soon grow and there are a few video links on there. I know this is not the ideal publicity campaign but at least its a start. Also the more people that post there views on there the more seriously it will be taken.

By Withnail• 16 Feb 2009 15:59
Withnail

issuing huge tickets for all children who are not in proper infant seats, all adults not wearing seat belts, and all jacka$$es driving carelessly.

the education campaigns about wearing seat belts in canada only went so far - getting a 150$ ticket each time you were caught not wearing your seat belt sealed the deal.

i think people here will always drive recklessly until they know that they are being watched closely.

___________________________________________

"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I

By cynbob• 16 Feb 2009 15:48
cynbob

We can still remember these slogans after all these years.

I think that something 'catchy' can be fun and kids will remember, even if adults don't.

Like the post before yours---grassroots: schools (I think Gyspsy and others mentioned before) and mosques need to be targeted.

But bottom line---law enforcement!

By minycruz• 16 Feb 2009 15:47
minycruz

We should not only wait for the Qatari Government to fix this problem. We all live here and we are by far the majority. Therefore, we should speak and influence them in a very positive way to help them change their people mentality, and save their innocent children. I want my kids friends to stay alive and healthy. This is a sad problem that needs to be corrected from the roots, by using some common sense.

By tallg• 16 Feb 2009 15:40
tallg

Yep, similar to the Clunk Click Every Trip campaign in the UK in the 70s.

That link describes some of the adverts used with the slogan.

That was nearly 40 (FORTY!!!) years ago. That's why we take wearing seatbelts for granted in the UK, and find it so shocking that they don't here.

By Roadtester• 16 Feb 2009 15:39
Roadtester

my company does road safety, and from the conversation i had with our guy whose now in dubai was that it need to be grass roots, need to get into schools and also the mosques. Also work is needed to educate the expatriate central asians as like muslim arabs have the same "inshallah" gods will attitude as to wether your going to die in a car crash. I remember when working in Bahrain an indian foreman saying "if big man want to take me, then so be it" with a wry smile i said "well dont want to make it easy for him!"

There seems to be absolutly no appreciation of how dangerous cars are, and in middle east where the driving etiquette is minimal the risks are even greater.

By cynbob• 16 Feb 2009 15:36
cynbob

I get your point.

Perhaps, Like in Texas, in 2002 there was a "Click It or Ticket" campaign...followed up with 2 weeks of law enforcement personnel giving tickets to violators. The fine was/is $200 US.

The stats show that 92% of Texans "buckle up for safety."

Today, there are TV ads and are signs posted on freeways, highways, etc. The electonic signs show a belt clicking in place--with the slogan..."Click It or Ticket"

Perhaps something like that would work---

By tallg• 16 Feb 2009 15:19
tallg

But are the people who need to see these videos actually watching them cynbob? They're unlikely to be out there googling 'child car safety', are they?!

That's why the government needs to implement a campaign to get the message across to everyone.

By cynbob• 16 Feb 2009 15:10
cynbob

Baldrick2dogs has given all the websites...if the people don't get the importance of strapping their kids after watching these videos---well then, I know of only one thing that will:

The stiff fines have to given by law enforcement.

Like I stated before, an intense 2 week period where all the law enforcement personnel are giving tickets for parents/adult drivers that will not put their child in a car seat or seat belt!!!!!

Information is out there---it needs to followed up with consequences of breaking the law!!!

It's so easy--it's hard!!

By Dianapilar• 16 Feb 2009 14:32
Dianapilar

are exactly, we are in their country why do u think they will apprecieted any suggestion from ppl beneath them.. i just look the other way now.

By baldrick2dogs• 16 Feb 2009 13:59
baldrick2dogs

LINKS

&feature=related

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/carseatsvideo/chapter1a.html

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/

http://www.usa.safekids.org/skbu/cps/index.html

&feature=related

&feature=related

http://www.rasgas.com/files/articles/RG22_26_27%20CSR.pdf

http://allaboutyourchild.com/parenting/importance-of-child-seats

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/carrying_safely/carrying_safely.htm

&feature=related

&feature=related

&feature=related

By tallg• 16 Feb 2009 13:58
tallg

I don't see any problem with trying to bring it to peoples attention and showing how many people think this is a very serious issue. At least if you try and take the horses to water some of them might have a drink!

Qatar clearly wants to become a modern country and seems keen to learn how to do this from other, well established countries. Look at all the things it's already taken on board - including traffic regulations and the such. They didn't invent speed cameras - they realised they needed to stop people speeding cos it was dangerous and they looked at how other countries did it. I don't see why the same couldn't happy with child safety in cars, and I see no problem with ex-pats pointing out the issue and directing them to possible solutions.

By Gypsy• 16 Feb 2009 13:51
Gypsy

Well then I guess they have no one to blame but themselves if their kids keep becoming pavement art.

By sandy1161• 16 Feb 2009 13:50
sandy1161

For those of you who dont understand why children should be strapped in

Take a look at these few videos on these links below

&feature=related

By Gypsy• 16 Feb 2009 13:43
Gypsy

Well of course we can't force the Qatar government to enforce, but we can start a website, a petition, something.

By mjamille28• 16 Feb 2009 13:34
mjamille28

man in the driver seat, wife beside him, she was wearing seatbelt and so is the man driving,.. but guess what, the woman sitting beside the driver, who is safely tucked in her belts was holding a child that's only a few months' old on her lap!! :/

By blablabla• 16 Feb 2009 13:29
blablabla

Hmmm, these comments really woke me up! I am driving with my two kids, about 3 and 5 yrs old now, sitting ( rather playing) on the front seat without seat belt while I am being busy driving and quarelling with my wife on the rear seat. No one questioned me yet on the roads is a clear indication of no enforcement of children safety in cars.

I think once in a while police should focus on catching and punishing parents who ignore children safety meassures.

By Gypsy• 16 Feb 2009 13:25
Gypsy

Alexa, but shouldn't the expats be allowed to suggest things for the expat community?

By fubar• 16 Feb 2009 13:24
fubar

Can I remind everyone that this is a culture that thinks that indecent satellite TV should be banned to stop kids watching it.

Rather than parents taking some responsibility for their children to supervise and protect them, they would rather wait for some governmental body to fix the problem for them.

If parents can't be bothered monitoring the crap their kids watch on tv, do you really think they will ever be bothered to buckle their rowdy kids into car seats?

By somwerNdmiddle• 16 Feb 2009 13:21
somwerNdmiddle

and maybe when a website has been set up, anyone can post pictures they have taken, pictures with children in the front seat, on the driver's lap, anything that has to do with endangering children's lives while inside a vehicle in motion.

=Dura Lex Sed Lex=

By angel_eyes• 16 Feb 2009 12:44
angel_eyes

The thing is about their mentality.. They are very rest assured that nothing will happen to their kids and using seat belts will only suppress them from moving and not considering the safety.

Don't wait for a tragedy to correct these wrong doings.

By calamitypain• 16 Feb 2009 12:03
calamitypain

there were decent law enforcers here; the problem could be and should be stopped overnight. But we all know the Police are crap!

ANY parent, from whereever, who is caught driving, without their child/children strapped in should be fined and banned from driving. If a child is killed as result of their negligence, any other children should be taken off them and they should be charged with manslaughter. END OFF!

Also the employment of Indian/Pakistani and other drivers should be stopped! They are awful drivers and the maids and the drivers also are negligent.

Children are a parents responsibility and their safety is paramount and whoever is left in CHARGE of that child should never take a risk.

If adults want to drive like idiots and get themselves killed, that's up to them but alas we also know they can also kill innocents too.

There needs a MAJOR overhaul here and I fear it is a long way off. These people have no discipline and show staggering arrogance. They are a law unto themselves. I would not mind that but when you see and hear of how there attitude ruins life I despair.

We are guests in their country but that does not mean to say I have to sit back and watch them ruin lives.

By tallg• 16 Feb 2009 11:48
tallg

If you're going to do something I'd suggest a two pronged attack;

- Set up a website which has a simple front page explaining the concerns we have and the possible solutions we've identified. Include a form where people can show their support by submitting their name and maybe some other info. Get the site sponsored by the likes of QL, ILQ, QH, maybe the newspapers etc, etc. Once word gets out more and more will sign up.

- In conjunction with this, write a letter to Sheikha Mozaha, and whoever else is in a position to do something about this, explaining the same concerns that are on the website. Bring her attention to the website as well, as it will show how many people are behind the drive for something to be done.

By Gypsy• 16 Feb 2009 11:27
Gypsy

The thing Sandy is that if it's going to be done it has to be done right, I.e. A real campaign with lots of blood and gore images of dead kids that make the parents feel like crap.

By Mis-Cat• 16 Feb 2009 11:22
Mis-Cat

I have it on good authority that this issue is already being perused by an Aussie in Sheikha Mozaha's office. What really pisses me off though is the ones that while your making sure your strapping your kids safely into the car at a car park in a shopping mall, they start to honk their horn at you cause they want your spot, this usually gets the response by hubby yelling at them "Fucking just wait.. Just because you don't care for your kids, doesn't mean I don't care about mine!!"

If everyone cared and nobody cried

If everyone loved and nobody lied

If everyone shared and swallowed their pride

Then we'd see the day when nobody died....Chad Kroeger

By sandy1161• 16 Feb 2009 11:16
sandy1161

What if I do a information leaflet that could be printed by QL members then be circulated ie: posted under the doors in our apartment bloks where we live.

By anonymous• 16 Feb 2009 11:13
anonymous

But they make great mobile airbags though!

By Gypsy• 16 Feb 2009 11:10
Gypsy

E-mailing won't work, you need to address a formal letter to her office at Qatar Foundation. I've done stuff like this before...so if there is an interest perhaps there's something QL can do as a group?

By sandy1161• 16 Feb 2009 11:07
sandy1161

That is one thing I have noticed that no one seems to want to admit they dont buckle thir kids in. Obviously they know they are doing wrong.

By hesa24804• 16 Feb 2009 11:03
hesa24804

Just out of interest - are there any parents on QL who DON'T buckle their children in so they can explain their mentality to us? Please enlighten us.

I for one just cannot comprehend how parents can jeopardise their own flesh and blood like that.

By sandy1161• 16 Feb 2009 11:02
sandy1161

I have emailed Sheikha Mozaha a couple of times and have not had a response. What needs to be done as someone else has said is show pictures or videos so as to shock people into strapping there children in and to show them how irrisposible they are being. Car stickers saying Love Your Child Strap Them In. But something needs to be done.

By Gypsy• 16 Feb 2009 10:53
Gypsy

That's great Sandy. I wonder if it would be possible to do a petition or something that can be sent to Sheikha Mozaha's office, Perhaps with some suggestions on what can be done.

By Victory_278692• 16 Feb 2009 10:49
Victory_278692

parenting and understanding of road safety and precautionery rules. Only strict law enforcement agencies could stop them on the road side and fine on the spot for endangering the life of their child (a beautiful gift from Allah). Ameen!

Qatar Traffic department to run a safety drive and public awareness program to make the citizens more responsible and careful on roads. Looking at the conditions of inside roads (with big holes), the car ride becomes a camel ride even by 4WD.

Some concerns really need to be taken by driving parents for the safety of unattended young passengers.

By sandy1161• 16 Feb 2009 10:38
sandy1161

I have brought this subject up a couple of times on here and also on other websites.

It makes me so angry to see these childrens lives put at risk.

Its not only Qatari families but most nationalities excluding Europian American Canadian and Austalian that dont buckle their children in.

I agree that a education campaign is the only way forward...a good place to have these campaigns is with in the shopping malls as everyone has to shop. There are TV screens in most of the malls with advertising going on this would be a very good way to get everyone to see the greatly needed information that these people need.

I have a group on facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=19861421940 if people here took the time to join this group and invite others this is a small way to get some people here to recognise the dangers involved.

By minycruz• 16 Feb 2009 09:36
minycruz

I'm also so sick with this as it bothers me so much. I also love this country and I wish I could do something about it. I had been rear ended before in Florida and if it weren't for buckling up my son who was 2 years old then, he would've been killed. Parents who do that should be imprisoned because they are not stupid into what they're doing. They know what'll happen to their innocent children in case of an accident. Sometimes I want to tell them to buckle up their children, but who am I to tell them what to do?

Please let's save these innocent children from irresponsible parents who are so proud if this stupid act!!!

By chef_leo• 16 Feb 2009 09:36
chef_leo

when i was about to take a taxi going home. i saw this landcruiser with family inside. i saw this 2 young kids seated in front without buckles on it. then the fathers driving, and the mother at the back.!????? silly huh!!

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 22:12
anonymous

On my way to work tonight, I did witness two land cruisers drivers with their kids holding on to the front dash boards or playing in the back. No seat belts....

By Qatarkid• 15 Feb 2009 21:22
Qatarkid

(or trust in God) is clear in Islam.... One does everything one can and then you leave the rest in God's hands. i.e you buckle your kids and yourself in and the rest is whatever Allah wills. The example which is often cited in the definition of tawakkul is ...

A man coming to the Mosque to offer his prayer dismounted from his camel and asked the Prophet (p): "Oh Messenger of Allah, do I tie it and rely (on Allah that the camel will be where I left it after I come out of the Mosque), or do I leave it here loose and rely (on Allah that the camel will be where I left it after I come out from the Mosque)?" The Prophet (p) replied, "'Iqil" (tie the camel) and then tawakal (rely upon Allah that the camel will be where you tie it when you come out of the Mosque)."

so any muslim suggesting that you dont need to buckle up is actually neglectful of an obligation...

"to save a life is to save humanity, and to destroy one is to destroy humanity"

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 21:00
anonymous

live with the guilt...........effin morons !!

---------------------------------------------------------

I think you have me confused with someone who gives a sh1t.

By Dottie• 15 Feb 2009 18:54
Dottie

It makes my blood boil when I see parents driving with their small kids unrestrained in the front seat (or any seat come to that) or even worse, driving with a toddler on their lap. But it also makes me really, really sad that they seem to care so little for their child's welfare and safety. I long to wind down my window and say something like 'Do you love your child? Then why are you treating them like a human airbag??' but I know it will get me nowhere. I guess the schools should run a safety campaign, because the best way to remedy the situation is to educate the kids. Of course, a lot of children are driven around by drivers, who have little or no control over them, and they're certainly not going to tell them to buckle up.

The police must be given more power to enforce the rules that already exist. Surely child safety is more important than talking on a mobile phone whilst driving?? Get some cops stationed at major intersections, and allow them to start handing out fixed penalty fines for all the offenders. Maybe then something will be done about the situation.

Oh yes, and for what it's worth, in my experience, the VAST MAJORITY of offenders are Qataris...............

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 18:48
anonymous

"Stupidity of some parents amazing!

I AM totally surprised by the stupidity of some parents. I know 'car-seats' are not very popular among locals, but I saw a man driving along the highway with his daughter standing between the two front seats. They were both dancing and singing, the father did not have his hands on the wheel and, of course, no seatbelt.

This might seem normal, but he was moving the car left and right for fun! Also his speed couldn't have been less than 140. Isn't this murder? Isn't it asking for a disaster?

Do these parents not love their children? When will the government take action against such people? Why are there no rules against putting your child's life on the line?

Frustrated"

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=243048&Sn=LETT&IssueID=31332

---------------------------------------------------------

I think you have me confused with someone who gives a sh1t.

By Dianapilar• 15 Feb 2009 18:46
Dianapilar

Surely all this parents consider themselves educated specially in this matter and they have travel, etc, is just they don't give a damnn about their own laws or kids, is sickenig, do u think things will cahnge in another 2-3 o even more years, i don't believe so. It mades me mad too, but what's the point....

By TraceyBoots• 15 Feb 2009 18:27
TraceyBoots

to see a little kid standing on the back seat and the Mom and/or Dad chatting away in the front. I don't thik they have any idea that it's that little 15-20 lb body that will break your neck on his/her way out the windshield...stupidity personified. It's not only the locals though and I often see other nationalities with their kids running around in the back or draped across their laps in the front. I put the window the other day to let a man know that his 5 or 6 year old son was literally hanging from the sun roof. We were both stopped at the lights at Ramada and I could hardly believe my eyes when I looked over...his sibling had him by the legs and he was head, arms and torso just dangling there. Dad looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and said something to Mom who glared at me.

I am of the fixed opinion that these people do not love their children much at all. I get infuriated when I see this and my husband as well..he's a doctor and finds it deplorable that the laws in this country are so slack regarding child safety. Maddening!

By baldrick2dogs• 15 Feb 2009 18:15
baldrick2dogs

Punishment after you've killed your child - Manslaughter minimum.

Punishment for getting caught with an unrestrained child - confiscate the car and license for a month.

By BensoneRafiq• 15 Feb 2009 17:42
BensoneRafiq

STUPID PARENTS.....WORST PARENTING AND MUST NOT HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH KIDS!

By Amoud• 15 Feb 2009 17:16
Amoud

There is a link on the MOI site, I cant remember what it is called but I will check it.

The problem with reporting to the police without photo evidence is who is to say this really happened or someone is just looking to get someone in hot water. Also, if the police are asked to keep an eye on a certain car (no license plate recognition systems here to scan random plates) you can forget it, it will never happen.

Like I said, take a picture, then perhaps they can take complaints seriously.

_____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 17:05
anonymous

"If my child dies it's because god decided it was time, nothing I do will change that".

If its their fault than God's will, if bus knocks them down then its Driver's fault

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 17:00
anonymous

we can report these harmful acts on daily basis. Its easy to remember car plate no/Location/time.

Driving is getting worse everyday

By Victory_278692• 15 Feb 2009 17:00
Victory_278692

Public / mass policing and punishment by law.

Attitude could be changed by strict laws enforcement agencies. Important is initiative, will achieve the result hopefully.

By Qatarina• 15 Feb 2009 16:53
Qatarina

a female driver approaching a roundabout driving with all female passengers, with a child at the back seat unrestrained, a child sitting on the lap of the front passenger (obviously unrestrained), and to top it all off, the female driver was cuddling a newborn (baby was in a swaddle cloth and very small) while driving. she had her right hand on the steering and the left was holding the baby.'GYPSY', I'd say she was the mother of all stunned C..T's. it was only when the driver was really near to the roundabout that she passed on the baby to the front passenger (who was still holding the other child). I thnk they could afford carseats because they were driving a BMW. As my husband was driving, I kept trying to make contact so that they'd realise what they were doing but they were too busy cooing and ooing and aahing the baby. Sad.

By cynbob• 15 Feb 2009 16:48
cynbob

In the Huge state of Texas, this was a problem. In 2002, Texas launched the 'Click it or Ticket' campaign.

There are huge billboards (next to the Don't Mess with Texas signs ;)) with this CLICK IT OR TICKET slogan. There is a $200 US fine if you violate this law.

Since this campaign was launched, there have been 1,600 fewer traffic fatalities and 37,000 fewer injuries as a result of increased safety belt.

Stats show that 92% of Texas drivers buckle up. The other 8%---well, you just can't fix stupid.

Maybe, Qatar can learn something about campaigning with a catchy phrase and announcing the stiff fines if this law is violated. Law enforcement is key to winning this battle for the kids' sake.

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 16:01
anonymous

i must agree with your comment for their stupidity for not wearing seat belts.

In order to overcome the 'inshallah' attitude that seems to be the excuse many use.

"If my child dies it's because god decided it was time, nothing I do will change that".

By adey• 15 Feb 2009 15:43
adey

The ad I linked to is the pre 9pm watershed version - the more graphic post 9pm version is blocked by our friends Q Tel!!!!!

"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365

not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the

many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers

were given. Satan - 10."

By tallg• 15 Feb 2009 15:39
tallg

The Peninsula ran a story last year, with photos they'd gone out and taken themselves. One photo showed a baby lying on the parcel shelf of the boot in a moving car.

The point about educating children at school is a good one. If they want to be buckled in then parents are more likely to do it.

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 15:33
Gypsy

I really think they should start classes for it in the schools. I remember having to watch horrific videos and listen to people talk about the dangers of not wearing seat belts when I was in elementary school and I never forgot it! Scared the pee out of me actually. It got to the point that I would get in the car and tell my Mom to put her's on (she used to be really bad at not doing it) and so I taught her to use her seatbelt.

By Amoud• 15 Feb 2009 15:30
Amoud

I think the only way to educate is to have the police actually start enforcing the laws here. The only ones that actually get enforced are the ones caught on camera. The point system here... give me a break. It is a step in the right direction but the police have to get off their butts and do something. More license checks, actually revoking licenses for offending as they do in the west. Start tieing insurance rates in with driving records. When someones gotta pay 40% of the car value for insurance they may wise up. Same thing goes for car seats.

We QLers should start taking pictures of the offenders, with the license plate numbers and report it to the police. If Gulf News would run a story on it, even better. Put the pressure on.

____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By tallg• 15 Feb 2009 15:29
tallg

lmao

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 15:24
Gypsy

Sure that's God's will Tallg, that's God trying to show you how F$$$ing stupid you are for not using the seat belt he gave you the IQ to design!

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 15:22
Gypsy

No they aren't Red Pope, I don't think it's easy to pinpoint which nationality is the worst offenders, because I've yet to see a nationality that isn't doing it.

By tallg• 15 Feb 2009 15:22
tallg

I think the education here would need to be even more hard-hitting than in the UK (for example), in order to overcome the 'inshallah' attitude that seems to be the excuse many use.

"If my child dies it's because god decided it was time, nothing I do will change that".

But personally I just can't see god sat up there thinking "mmm...I think it's time that child was launched through the front window of an SUV, lacerating his body to pieces before smashing face first into the tarmac."

By arecel• 15 Feb 2009 15:22
arecel

i often saw cars with kids all over the spaces, from the front to the back. i saw young boys in the front sitting beside the mother unbelted or, oftentimes, in between the driver (father) and the front passenger (mother).i know boys are highly valued here so i could not understand the utter lack of care from both parents. makes me think both parents IQs would only total to 40. perhaps would- be parents here should be tested for their IQs before they are allowed to procreate!

and no, Qataris are not the only ones doing this. i saw lots of other nationalities doing this also. makes me want to think that there is something in the air that makes those parents insane...

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 15:21
anonymous

WTF? The GREAT MAJORITY OF OFFENDERS for not wearing seat belts, are Qataris! There is no need to sugar coat the issue.

By Amoud• 15 Feb 2009 15:17
Amoud

My son used to hate going to Canada on vacation a few years ago because the car seat/booster law is up to the age of 10 years or 80 lbs (that weight I am not 100% sure but thats the ballpark).

Kids under 10 are not allowed in the front seat because of airbags, imagine what that will do to a 2 year old?

_____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By Majnoon Ajnabi• 15 Feb 2009 15:17
Majnoon Ajnabi

I'm so scared driving I am cutting "O" rings in my underwear and the suction is holding me in my seat.

“A lot of the people who keep a gun at home for safety are the same ones who refuse to wear a seat belt”

By tallg• 15 Feb 2009 15:16
tallg

It's funny, there have been two threads about this in two days, and I was only saying to friends over dinner on Friday that if there was one thing I could change in Qatar before I leave it would be the disregard parents have for their children's safety, specifically in the car. But the question is, how?

By adey• 15 Feb 2009 15:16
adey

The latest seatbelt ad in the UK:

All saftey features in cars are designed on the basis that people are wearing seatbelts eg airbags work in conjunction with belts, they are not an alternative.

"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365

not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the

many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers

were given. Satan - 10."

By laurana• 15 Feb 2009 15:15
laurana

"A fair number of families in Qatar have lost children in car crashes. If the NHA put out an advert that showed dead kids, and put the blame on parents, there would be outrage that bereaved families were being attacked."

They deserve it: it will be the least to be punished if their chid/ren died because of that kind of iresponsability

By Victory_278692• 15 Feb 2009 15:15
Victory_278692

some respite...

It is very frequent show on the roads....the other drivers (like me) need to extra cautious. As observed 10-20% of the drivers in Doha are either new or uneducated, find very difficulty in driving; lane discipline is something never heard of.

The issue is serious but need attention and alert for all of us to be more careful. Thanks Gypsy

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 15:11
Gypsy

Speed, I personally think it's starting to get worse, the woman I saw was western today too, like I said, they can't plead ignorance. This is a problem that extends THROUGHOUT both the local and expat populations, and it needs to be addressed by the government!

By Amoud• 15 Feb 2009 15:08
Amoud

Qatari_princess, I never once mentioned nationality and such. Are you assuming that I mean Qataris? ___________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By tallg• 15 Feb 2009 15:07
tallg

There are literally thousands of people in Qatar who are outraged whenever they see people letting their kids roam free in the car. What can a large group of people do to in order to bring attention to the issue?

By Majnoon Ajnabi• 15 Feb 2009 15:05
Majnoon Ajnabi

on several occasions the Qatar Police standing at round a bouts giving citations to persons not wearing seat belts.

If you think about it most people only buckle up because of the fine not for safety.

“A lot of the people who keep a gun at home for safety are the same ones who refuse to wear a seat belt”

By SPEED• 15 Feb 2009 15:05
SPEED

Last week I saw once westerner woman with her 2 young kids (boy and a girl) the boy was jumping from front passenger seat to the rare and none of them were wearing the seat belts....

On the Every signal, Traffic police has fixed the warning sign boards in Arabic and English.

I think it's upto them and the Doha Traffic dept... who we are to tell them to wear the seat belt !!

By qatari-princess• 15 Feb 2009 15:05
qatari-princess

exactly!

there ya go!

By tallg• 15 Feb 2009 15:04
tallg

Yes brit, that's all I'm asking them to do. But at the moment they're not doing it properly.

They need to educate people EFFECTIVELY. Go and ask other countries around the world how they did and copy them if needs be. But whatever educating they're doing at the moment isn't working.

And they need laws which are actually ENFORCED. The police are nearly as guilty as the parents in my eyes for letting the offending cars drive past them.

By qatari-princess• 15 Feb 2009 15:04
qatari-princess

Amoud, gee...soe qataria could use a little bit of spanking if u know what i mean!!

By britexpat• 15 Feb 2009 15:03
britexpat

People will probably rent a child seat, fit it for inspection and return it as soon as they leave the hospital grounds..

The only real answer is enforcement and education..

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 15:03
Gypsy

Well they need to start at least trying to do something.

By Amoud• 15 Feb 2009 15:01
Amoud

It would never work here to not allow the parents to leave the hospital without an infant seat. Hospital workers are terrified of the patients most of the time. I was in Hamad for high blood pressure during pregnancy, Dr. prescribed a no salt diet and the nurses used to bring me salt with lunch because she said "some people dont like the taste".

Some people just dont think "it can happen to them". ____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By britexpat• 15 Feb 2009 15:00
britexpat

Surely all the government can do is educate people and enact laws to punish the culprits.

At the end of the day, the choice is with the individual. Perhaps , some don't value the lives of their offspring too highly.

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 15:00
anonymous

There is a strong correlation between educational levels and the understanding of 'planning, precaution, preparation, and preserve'. Unfortunately the level of education in Qatar is very low. Exceptional Qataris, at least the ones I know, behave like us 'Westerners' when it comes to safety.

By qatari-princess• 15 Feb 2009 14:59
qatari-princess

oh Gypsy, i mean to point out that never jump to conclusions honey;

u never know;)

but assurance and safety especially when it gets to children, comes first!!

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 14:55
Gypsy

Don't turn this into a religious thread Red Pope, it has nothing to do with religion.

Qatar-Princess...What? What should I be holding my horses about?

By SamyaUK• 15 Feb 2009 14:53
SamyaUK

Last year, and i saw a big accident on the road, my boyfriend found out what happend... a Qatari lady was driving too fast, 2 kids in the front seat with no belt.. a land cruiser with a trailer slowed down to take a right into the petrol station, but because she was going too fast she hit him... one of the kids went through the wind sceen, all three died... so sad :(

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 14:50
anonymous

WHAT THE KORAN HAS TO SAID ABOUT, SAFEGUARDING YOUR CHILDREN FROM HARM AND IMMINENT DANGER?

WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSION FROM FAILING TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM HARM OR AVOIDING IMMINENT DANGER?

WHAT DOES THE KORAN HAS TO SAID ABOUT LACK OF SOCIAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY IN FOLLOWING THE LAWS IMPOSED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT?

Is it a sin not wear your seat belt?

By labda06• 15 Feb 2009 14:47
labda06

I hope our roving journalist picks up on this. Sadly it will be news to some of these parents.

--------------------- N.O.W --------------------------

By tallg• 15 Feb 2009 14:47
tallg

As I said in another thread earlier today, the hospital should check you have a baby seat installed before they let you take your baby home, as they do in the UK. That would be a start. Then they need a hard hitting campaign, and I mean really hard hitting. Blood, guts, blaming the parents. And along side this the police need to actually do some f-ing work and start stopping people who are doing this and punishing them.

By qatari-princess• 15 Feb 2009 14:45
qatari-princess

hold ur horses sweetie..

people in qatar should spend a couple of millions for educating those people...

its true..

and let the right be spoken!!

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 14:41
Gypsy

What I don't understand, is that seeing these kids all over the car and the parents yelling at them and telling them to behave, wouldnt' they WANT to use seats belts?? A fool proof way to keep your kids behaved while driving?

By britexpat• 15 Feb 2009 14:36
britexpat

The problem is that many "westerners" come over here and suddenly develop symptoms included arrogance and the perception that normalcy and ettiquette doesn't apply to them..

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 14:36
anonymous

we prepare or buy a placard that says "BUCLE-UP YOUR CHILD/REN OR RESTRAINED YOUR CHILDREN" so everytime we see such stupid things, we can show the placards to the parents or drivers. Let's awaken their senses!

"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"

By genesis• 15 Feb 2009 14:33
genesis

HMC are already distributing Children seats for mothers after labour. There is huge campaign on FB & Qatari Arabic Forums.

Apparently very few seem to care. Unfortunately, it might be the "god will" mentality in us someone wrote earlier :(

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 14:32
Gypsy

The woman who was crossing six lanes of traffic with her kids bopping around today was Western ngourlay, first time I ever saw a Westerner do it, so for here she can't even use the excuse, of "Oh I didn't know, no one else does it." Hence my use of the term stunned cunt for her.

By journalistgirl• 15 Feb 2009 14:32
journalistgirl

To be honest it is kinda 100% the parents fault - they should know better than to leave their children just hanging around in the cars like that. It's unfortunate that there are some who aren't aware of even the most basic responsibility.

By Amoud• 15 Feb 2009 14:29
Amoud

Hmm, I assume me doing the school run with my toddler on my lap and 12 year old hanging out the sunroof while I do 160 up the highway is a no no ;)

I must say that more people use car seats now than when we arrived 11 years ago. Back then you couldnt even buy one here. On the same note, it is complete insanity not to have your kids locked in Nascar type harnesses driving here as general driving conditions are an extreme sport to say the least. ____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By ngourlay• 15 Feb 2009 14:29
ngourlay

Gypsy

When I pick up my boy from school, I do notice the occasional Western mother not belting her kids into their seats, but most do use child seats and boosters. I agree it's not just Qatari parents that are at fault, but in general I think Western expats are more conscious of the dangers.

What angers me are the drivers hired by parents to drive their kids home. They almost never restrain kids, and in the main part, drive like complete loons.

--nigel

By om Maui• 15 Feb 2009 14:28
om Maui

i agree with ngourlay. we need a visual campaign on this matter, the same way the traffic police campaigned "for Life" in general, but this time focused on children.

everytime i know somebody who doesn't buckle up their kids, i advise them to do better, and they say the same arrogant reply: "nah, it will not happen to me."

maybe if the trauma centers could release some relevant statistics, people will realize that it DOES happen, and it MIGHT happen, and CAN happen to them....

or not... :(

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 14:24
Gypsy

Brit, it's my code for stunned cunt.

By rMs_000• 15 Feb 2009 14:24
rMs_000

lol brit.."CU&&YJNjlT "

rms..!!

By shreeya• 15 Feb 2009 14:23
shreeya

OMG!!! I was about to say exactly the same. On Thursday, at Toyota signal, my husband literally chased the car to tell the moron parents the same thing. The girl merely 2-3 was hanging out to her waist. It was horrible scene. Well, and the car was speeding, say at 100kph.

Life is never boring, but some people choose to be bored.... Boredom is a choice. - Wayne W.

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 14:22
Gypsy

Well besides the fact that the blame is 100% on them, and it should be rubbed in their faces, you need to do what a lot of other countries have done, which is teach the kids first. You can't teach an old dog new tricks as they say, so you need to drill it into the kids in elementary schools head that when they get in a car, they buckle up, that way they'll start policing their parents.

Also, it's not just Qatari parents that are doing this it's EVERY nationality.

By fubar• 15 Feb 2009 14:22
fubar

The thing that enrages me the most is seeing mom and dad up front, all safely buckled up, and then the kids rolling around on the backseat, or sitting on the center console between the parents.

The only way to interpret this is that the parents value their own safety and wellbeing, and understand that wearing a seatbelt is smart (well... der) but screw the kids, they can die or suffer severe injuries in the event of an accident. The parents simply do not care for their kids.

I have to admit to finding it more than a little hilarious to see kids go tumbling head first into the windsheild whenever dad brakes suddenly. Perhaps the parents are a bit over their kids?

By mjamille28• 15 Feb 2009 14:20
mjamille28

knocking some real sense into their thick skulls... :/

By ngourlay• 15 Feb 2009 14:20
ngourlay

Here's the difficulty. A fair number of families in Qatar have lost children in car crashes. If the NHA put out an advert that showed dead kids, and put the blame on parents, there would be outrage that bereaved families were being attacked.

There needs to be an education campaign, but it's difficult to know where you'd start in a country where almost every family has lost young men to road deaths.

Any ideas, Gypsy?

By britexpat• 15 Feb 2009 14:18
britexpat

I got the gist of your post and agree with you 100%.

However, not being from Canada , can you please translate what "CU&&YJNjlT " means ?

By Gypsy• 15 Feb 2009 14:18
Gypsy

I've seen the children hanging out to their waist, and them still driving around!

By anonymous• 15 Feb 2009 14:17
anonymous

on my way back here at the project site, a (presumed local Qatari) woman driving an expensive car with an open right rear window and a female child (I would say probably 4 years) with one whole arm outside the window. The girl's face is facing the street and looking at passing cars but her arm, not only hand, is outside the window. My goodness, talking about child care! It's really zero here!

"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"

By mjamille28• 15 Feb 2009 14:11
mjamille28

By Mandilulur• 15 Feb 2009 14:09
Mandilulur

I know, I know, darlin', I used to work at a trauma center. I was going to say, "but don't you remember when we used to bounce around the car unbelted", but then looked at your age!

Mandi

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