The traffic department on Monday organised a discussion on traffic as part of its Ramadan traffic awareness drive. The event was held in association with the Doha Youth Centre, Qatargas and the ministry of culture, arts and heritage.
A section of the participants at the discussion
Welcoming the audience to the event, traffic department director, Brigadier Saad al-Kharji, said: “The traffic management is open to listening to the voices of young people and accepts constructive criticism. The management is also ready to accept suggestions, queries and even reports via e-mail, fax or telephone.” He observed that reckless driving has disappeared as a result of the awareness drives. He lauded the efforts of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation and the Qatar Automobile Club in eliminating practises such as car racing on the roads, noting that attracting youngsters inclined to indulge in such acts to the Lusail circuit and other zones earmarked for such events was a good solution.
During the event, first lieutenant Riyadh Ahmed showcased video clips captured by radars on traffic violations.
Commenting on the clips, Brigadier al-Kharji explained that the most dangerous violation was running the red signals, which he said put the lives of other road users at risks. He also described as dangerous the tailgating of ambulance and civil defence vehicles.
“The strict implementation of the new traffic law has reduced these sorts of violations to some extent,” he noted.
Replying to queries, al-Kharji mentioned that the traffic department holds annual awareness drive among secondary school students as they prepare to obtain driving licences.
First lieutenant Mohamed Rashid al-Murri from the traffic department and ministry of culture, arts and heritage youth activities director Khaled Yousuf al-Mulla also took part in the discussion.