Make reckless drivers pay
Dear Sir,
Anwar Ul Haq’s letter “The right punishment” (Gulf Times, September 17) highlights an important point: the need to penalise reckless drivers more and to find a way to compensate the innocent victim in an accident.
At present, the motorist whose car is damaged due to irresponsible driving of the other party is the one who bears all the pain. The Traffic Department only issues necessary documents for repair when responsibility for the mistake is established either by the acceptance of one of the parties or the officials’ decision based on their investigation.
The man whose vehicle is damaged goes to various garages for estimates after the Traffic Department issues necessary documents. He has to wait at least for a week to get his vehicle repaired. If the damage is major, he may have to wait more than a week, depending on the garage and how busy it is.
It is not fair that a person who is not at fault should be penalised for another’s wrongdoing. Mistakes while driving can’t be prevented completely but if there is realisation that carelessness and recklessness can cost one dearly, all motorists will take extra care.
Presently the Traffic Department imposes a penalty of just QR100 on the motorist who is responsible for the mistake. He has no other worries; his insurance company repairs the other party’s damaged car.
Ideally there should be some kind of compensation for the wronged motorist who is suffering because of someone else’s carelessness. The compensation could be in shape of providing transportation while his car undergoes repairs or an amount equivalent to what is being charged to rent a car at least for one week or until his car is repaired.
It will make motorists more responsible while driving and will bring down the number of accidents in Qatar.
Zahid H Awan, PO Box 9587, Doha
Great nation, great people
Dear Sir,
More than 12 months have passed since I joined a private school in Doha. I came to Qatar after teaching 25 years in an Abu Dhabi school. An Indian, I have spent most of my working life in the Gulf.
I am extremely happy to move from Abu Dhabi to Doha, not only because I have got a better opportunity here but also by the efficient way the administration and services are run in Qatar.
My first positive experience was when I went for my check-up in Doha. I was taken for the check-up when I was exhausted after hours of teaching. I requested a Qatari gentleman who was controlling the queue to allow me to sit somewhere and once my turn came, I told him, I could join the queue back again. He was very kind and took me straight away to the inspection room. I got my check-up finished within minutes.
After a few days I went to the Traffic Department to change my UAE driving licence to that of Qatar’s. There also everything went smoothly.
The next experience I had was about applying for my wife’s residence visa. I work in a private school and taking time off during the day is extremely difficult because of the nature of my work. I was told by some people that obtaining a residence permit for one’s wife and getting the visa stamped on her passport would be a hectic job. I was worried as I would have to find time to take her for fingerprinting, medical check-up and visa stamping during mornings, upsetting my work schedule.
But to my surprise I found out that not only all these facilities were available in the evening time and the standard of service provided by them was professional and efficient. On the fourth day after my wife’s arrival, the residence permit was stamped on her passport.
During my one year of stay here, the most memorable thing I witnessed was the transfer of the reins of power from HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. It is an example to the entire world the way it was conducted.
It was such a beautiful transition of power. By the crowning of the new ruler, the people of Qatar are now blessed by dual guardianship.
I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate the government over its excellent health services. The Hamad General Hospital and the primary health centres (Mesaimeer-Abu Hamour, in my case) provide the best possible medical care to patients.
What prompted me to write this letter was an experience I had the other day. After being exhausted with a busy day of work, I had to go to the Traffic Department head office to transfer a newly-purchased car in my name. My job, as usual, was done smoothly. It was about 4pm then. I was feeling thirsty. When I asked the lady (in counter number 31) if I could get a glass of water in the office, she offered me a bottle of mineral water! I thanked her profusely, touched by the gesture. I sincerely prayed to Allah that she get “kauthar’ - a river in Paradise the water of which, according to Muslim belief, will be served by the Prophet (pbuh) to his people on the way to her Jannah.
All these good things about Qatar could not have been achieved unless its rulers were great. Their example to the people has been to be humble, professional and sincere in their approach.
I find the Qatari nationals working in hospitals, Immigration, Traffic Department, etc to be extremely kind and caring.
After arriving to Qatar I have learnt that the word “ruler” does not mean one who rules, but it means one who cares for his people; not only the citizens but all those who come to his nation to work.
May God give this great nation and its people progress in both the worlds!
Mohammed Mohsin Jowher, jowhers@gmail.com
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