New Traffic Laws in Qatar

This is not a doctored picture...this is driving in Qatar. No wonder why Michael is having such a hard time! lol

In a major move to curb the growing number of accidents and reckless driving on Qatar ’s roads, the government yesterday promulgated a new Traffic Law, stipulating severe penalties for violators including a point system which would ultimately lead to the cancellation of a habitual offender’s driving license. (Michael better watch out!!!)

The penalty for using mobile phones while driving has been enhanced. The violator will have to pay a minimum fine of QR 3,000 and a maximum fine of QR 10,000. He is also liable for imprisonment up to one year. Motorists who commit violations like driving with no authorized license, driving under the influence of liquor, driving in the opposite direction of traffic flow, escaping from the accident site, causing sound and air pollution and exceeding the speed limit would be punishable by imprisonment from one month to three years or fined QR 10,000 to 50,000 or both.

According to the new law, the punishment for the following offences are also the same as mentioned above: Not wearing seat belts, allowing children below 10 years sit in the front passenger seat, not giving way to official motorcades and the vehicles of the police, civil defense and ambulances, not leaving enough space between two vehicles and motorcyclists allowing another passenger sit behind them (pillion riding).

The law stipulates that the driver and the front seat passenger should wear seat belts all the time. Article 66 of the new law says that in the event of an accident, the involved motorists should immediately call the police and render assistance to the injured. The motorists should not move their vehicles from the spot until the policeman arrived. If there are no major injuries to the passengers or damage to the vehicles, the involved parties may move the vehicles to a nearby spot so that traffic flow is not affected. Cyclists should keep to the right side of the road and should ride in one line. Motorcyclists are not allowed to ride on one wheel. Both should wear helmets.

VIOLATION POINT SYSTEM
A driving license may be suspended for three months when the total violations reached 14 points for the first time.

Jumping the red light 7
Driving in the opposite direction 6
Driving under the influence of alcohol 6
Exceeding the maximum speed 4
Driving recklessly and dangerously 4
Driving with defective brakes 4
Driving with inappropriate license 3
Driving with stripped or invalid license 3
Violating norms of public morality 3
Driving an unregistered vehicle 3
Driving a vehicle without number plates 3
Unauthorized changes made to number plates 3
Providing wrong information to pass the technical inspection 3
Using the vehicle for the wrong purpose 3
Blocking the flow of traffic intentionally 3
Driving a vehicle without a proper silencer 3
Driving a polluting vehicle 3
Driving a vehicle that leaks any material that can damage the road 3
Driving a vehicle which drops loads which can endanger the public safety 3
Driving on the embankment 3
Making a wrong U-turn 3
Changing a vital part of the vehicle without written permission from authorities 3
Giving the licence to someone who has no licence 2
Driving a vehicle with unclear number plates 2
Driving with only one number plate/changing their shape or detail 1
Refraining from giving driving licence to traffic police 1
Trucks violating the load conditions 1
Trucks violating the width, length, or weight regulations of the vehicle 1
Driving a technically unsafe vehicle 1
Using lights, horns, microphones, or other machines against the law 1
Disobeying traffic signs 1

Ramadan-Just Around the Corner

Being in Qatar, we are registered with the US Embassy. Occasionally we receive CONSULAR WARDEN MESSAGES. These messages can be anything from regional travel advisories to recalls that have been made in the country. Of course, if there are ever any safety concerns, the US Embassy would also alert us in a similar fashion. Below is a CONSULAR WARDEN MESSAGE that I recently received briefly describing Ramadan:

Ramadan will last for approximately 30 days, or one lunar month, and will finish on or about October 11, 2007. The Embassy also wishes to draw the attention of U.S. citizens to local customs that should be observed during the month of Ramadan:

• Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. As such, it is illegal in Qatar to eat, drink (even water), or smoke in public during fasting hours, i.e., approximately 5:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Approximate times for sunrise and sunset will be announced in local newspapers. If Muslims are present in the work place, they expect non-Muslims to respect their fasting and not eat, drink, or smoke in front of them, even in motor vehicles, or to prepare food that they can smell or see. As it is illegal to serve food or drink during fasting hours, restaurants will be closed during daylight hours, with the exception of a few hotel restaurants that serve non-Muslims only. Restaurants will begin serving food at sundown, but expect them to be crowded, especially during Iftar, the first meal immediately after sunset. If you are in a hotel, and they do not serve a meal at a time you require, you will find that room service is normally available or the dining room will have an isolated area where non-Muslims are served.
• While modest dress and respectful behavior between the sexes (even between married couples) are normal social customs in Qatar, this is particularly so during Ramadan.
• Shops and markets are open in the morning, often closed in the afternoon, but open again for a few hours after sunset. Shops and stores will have extended hours into the late evening and early morning to accommodate Ramadan hours of operation.
• If possible, please avoid driving in the hour immediately before sunset. One should be extra alert at this time, as many Muslims will be rushing to family member's or friend's home or a restaurant to break their fast. Many accidents occur at this time, some very serious. (Michael should particularly pay attention to this one!)