Dear Sir,
I have just returned home after another trip to Qatar to visit members of my family who now live and work in Doha. I have visited Qatar six times during the last 18 months and would like to give you my views as a visitor.
The first impression is one of a huge construction site similar to the UAE or the coasts of Spain and Portugal in the 1990s. Huge infrastructure and housing developments dominate the scene with an intensity of action of almost manic proportions.
There is much to commend with wide smooth roads, attractive parks, shopping malls, office blocks and a beautiful coastline. I am most impressed with the medical facilities and care given by the Hamad General Hospital to my family and the schooling for the children is excellent. The sporting facilities are first class and I have been lucky to watch international stars of tennis, golf, football and handball while in Qatar.
There are many cultural entertainment events to suit all tastes. The huge project of the rail network will improve transport together with the other road developments.
The indigenous population have had huge changes to cope with over the last three or four decades, including a significant increase in foreign nationals living and working in the country. All of which is to be admired and enjoyed by everyone who lives in or visits Qatar.
There is, however, one issue which I deplore and that is the traffic and standard of driving.
I have driven in all the continents of the world including many cities much larger than Doha and I have to say that the standard of driving in Qatar is the worst that I have experienced in over 50 years of driving.
I find the driving to be aggressive, intimidating, dangerous, with too much speed and no consideration whatsoever for other road users and, in particular, to emergency vehicles. There is no lane discipline generally but especially at roundabouts and junctions. Traffic light signals and police directions are ignored with dangerous consequences.
It was with interest, therefore, that I read of the list of 30 violations issued by the Traffic Department last month which attract varying fines and the provision for seizure of vehicles. When I first came to Qatar in 2013 I read up on the driving requirements and warnings about violation of the laws introduced in 2007. Many of these are repeated in the latest list of fines. Yet most are still ignored, especially where seatbelts and safety measures are concerned.
The level of fines is pocket money to many of the population and seizure of vehicles or suspension is no deterrent when one can just hire a driver so easily.
No laws are effective without enforcement to the same strict level to everyone without exception. I only recall seeing the traffic police at roundabouts controlling the flows and, sadly, all too often at accidents or collisions. Their presence on the road and at observation points in my country help to reinforce the laws and remind motorists of their responsibilities.
I hope that the authorities do resolve this problem which will deter many from visiting Qatar in the future.
R Elkins
(Address supplied)
