Red light Camera's are Public Danger
When ever you are inchs away from having a QR6,000 violation, You dont care who is behind you, nevertheless the cost to repair might be less then the Violation cost.
Qatar has one of the Highest Red light Traffic Tickets in the world $1,650 compared to the US average $200 (depending on the state) , Canada $155, UAE 500Dhs.
It seems those red light camera's are meant to cash in on poor Qatar population.
When ever you consider that the monthly Average Wage of a driver in Qatar is 1000QR, he will end up enslaved ( and with no exit visa) to payoff his debt over a year assuming that he paying back 50% of his salary.
It represent over 1300Hrs for the average Driver compared to 30Hrs for a minimum wager in the US
Tough Traffic laws will increase road safety only and only if it is not mean for profit.
http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/17/speed-cameras-and-red-light-cameras-go...
If you have to slam onto the breaks it means you were probably driving too fast as you should never need to slam on the breaks when the lights first hit yellow.
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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.
Not many MD.
I guess the problem stems from when the roads weren't so busy and people didn't think twice about running a red light (if there even was a red light at the intersection!). I think that's also why the fine is so high, because the people prone to jumping the lights are people who have lots of money.
Agreed, tallg. People have to behave differently. But who do you think is ever considering what we said above in Qatar? 1%, 2%??
Correct MD. Hence you shouldn't approach traffic lights at 80. That was my point in my earlier comment.
Perhaps you're right and the onus should be on the government to set lower speed limits at every set of lights. But personally I believe it's up to the drivers to approach them correctly. It works everywhere else in the world!
Diesel - the fine is high to act as a deterrent, but I agree it's very harsh on someone earning low wages.
you would think people would know to start slowing down while approaching the light. Everywhere in the world there are red lights and I have never seen such recklessness as here and everyone is blaming the lights instead of showing some common sense.
He who dies with the most toys wins.
The problem lies somewhere else. If a car travelling at a speed of 80 km/h begins to brake with a deceleration (typical) of 6.5 m/s2 and a reaction time of the driver of (very good) 0.35 seconds, the time to stop are 4.12 seconds and the distance travelled are 53.64 m.
There should therefore be speed limits of 60 km or 50 km starting 200 m before any traffic lights. Otherwise the above calculation guarantees crashes!
Im not saying we should not respect the redlights, everywhere in the world we should, but find me a place were you get a 1650$ for that...is it related to the housing bubble as well?, I understand Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world but Qataris represent very little percentange of the Drivers.
Latest news is Mobile Phone fine is QR10,000 normal the Gas is down...where to compensate.
Hmm, I agree with Qatari on that one, on a flashing yellow there was no traffic, I looked left to see if there were any oncoming cars and smashed into the guy in front of me.... court dates next month.... my bad completely but with the stiff fines people are terrified of signals in general. The police told me this happens in the same spot at least once a day.
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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"
...that there're many drivers in Qatar (and we mean MANY) who doesn't understand what the principle of driving and 'operating' a vehicle is?
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
too true heero
and if you concentrate more on the traffic, like keeping an eye on the traffic light while you approaching the junction instead of talking on the mobile phone (chatting texting) or doing other things while you driving. You can making the decision wether to slow down to stop or speed up when you approaching the junction...
True qatari. I should rephrase my earlier comment;
"Drive properly, then you wont run a red light, or cause someone to go into the back of you."
If you approach the lights at the correct speed you have plenty of decision making time. There should never be a case where you run a red light or have to excessively brake.
I thought you meant the other red light thing...I wanted to see one in Doha.
...and that óther thing is really a public danger here...
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
people are so afraid of running the light that they hit breaks when the lights turn yellow. So annoying especially when stuck in traffic..
No, I think this law is very good indeed, and it has really made every single person in Qatar stop at red lights!
However, sometimes I think that a fairer system, taking into account your point about those who don't earn much, is that traffic penalties should be a fixed percentage of monthly salary. So, if everyone has to be deducted 50% of their monthly salary for running a red light, that will make a measured impact and deterrent on everyone, regardless of their income!
Drive properly, then you wont run a red light.
And I don't think the fines have been set high in order to make a profit.