Can I contest a traffic violation?
I've been living in Matar Qadim area for more than a year now. Everyday, I traverse from this location to my office, starting at 7:30am and then again at 3:10pm (I work on a broken time sched).
Monthly, I check for any traffic violation using the MOI text (SMS) checking system.
I was a bit shocked when I learned today that I have a traffic violation worth 6,000QR on Jan. 7, 2009. I immediately went to the traffic center in Matar Qadim and was told that the violation was "beating the red light".
Since the time of the violation was 3:25pm and on a Wednesday, I presumed that I was on my way to work in the afternoon. I explained the lady in the traffic center that there wasn't any camera from Matar Qadim Street going to the Airport and that the area was sooooooo congested it is easy for anyone to be caught in the middle of the signal. Also, I noticed that the signal light from Matar Qadim Street going out to the main road was somehow eratic. There were times that the signal light turns from green to red in 3 seconds only.
How can I contest this? Can please anyone help me on this?
If you haven't seen the picture nor the video of your said violation yet, you can go to Radar and Planning Section in Kharaitiyat (near Tebah Petrol Station) for verification. In cases where a mistake may have been made and therefore making your case contestable, corrections can be done by an authorized personnel. Goodluck!
I know this light. Sometimes it is green for a very short time period. Only 3 cars can get chance to pass during green light. and sometimes it is green for more. This is weird I think. Anyway, I have remove a violation and fine issue but I was sure it was not me. We have found that they have read 2 instead of 3 in arabic. But wish you good luck for your case.
Sorry for the fine.Note that there could be mobile cameras installed at certain points where motorists don't expect. You must have got clicked by a mobile camera while waiting to exit the conjusted yellow box.
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Matar Qadim St......|
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Tnx for the reply guys... as you can see, I'm coming from Matar Qadim Street (turning left). There is no camera from Matar Qadim Street but there is camera on the main road, coming from and going to the airport. Is it possible that the these cameras are the one which recorded my violation? I also would like to report this signal since it is jumping from green to red in 3 seconds only. Anyways, lessons learned the hard way. I'll try my luck tomorrow with the Head Office of the traffic center. I hope the officer is in a good mood...
6.000 QAR is not about speeding. It is violation of red light. If it is the time while you are driving to work. It might be true. I do not understand what is your objection for. But in any case you can talk with the officers at the traffic department and tell them you would like to see the photo if you are sure that you did not make violation.
Good luck.
I am sorry to hear that fine, however, this cannot be reversed as a friend of mine already suffers this few weeks ago. Please note that, even if the signal is Green you should not enter the junction (usually known as yellow box) until the exit is clear to avoid disturbance to the other traffic. Entering the intersection without the exit is clear is the basis of this fine and traffic police has a strong case to defend.
Hey,
If you were actually trying hard to contest it with the lady from the traffic department she might show you a movie of you jumping the light.
But I observed over time that in doha going 80kph (limit at traffic if you don't wanna get flashed) there is a perfect timing where the light can start turning yellow and it's too late for you to brake and you could get flashed. There is not much flexibility in the business of fining people unfortunately and this 6000riyal drawback, (at the risk of sounding pessimistic) culd be hard to get around.
Best of luck!