New squad set to ensure safe driving on Qatar highways

The latest announcement by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) that a new highway patrol police force will start work in 2014 is sure to be welcomed by Qatar residents.

The first batch, comprising 50 officers and cadets, of the new force has just graduated. The training programme has been implemented by the Northwestern University, Chicago.

The team has received specialised training in enforcing traffic laws and booking common violations like tailgating, use of mobile phones, exceeding speed limits and not wearing seat belts. These four common violations have become “very common” these days on Qatar roads.

Tailgating is the most common “tactic” of reckless motorists who seem to experience some kind of a sadistic pleasure by creating tense moments for other road users.

Even if you are doing the limit on the fast lane, these errant motorists would approach from behind at breakneck speed and flashing the headlights. Many a motorist has landed in trouble upon panicking and swerving abruptly to get out of the way.

Regarding the use of mobile phones, it is not an exaggeration to state that at least five out of 10 motorists are busy talking on handheld mobile phones while driving. This is despite the availability of hands-free technology.

Exceeding speed limits is another increasingly common trait among  motorists. Some of them slow down only when a speed radar is sighted and accelerate once out of range. This menace could only be curbed by introducing the technology which calculates the time taken by vehicles to cover two cameras and slap fines if they exceed the speed limit.

A number of motorists continue not to wear seat belts and seem to get away with it. 

The new batch of officers have acquired advanced skills in  investigation of accidents, modern methods to interrogate drivers, preservation of evidence and making specialised reports on accidents.

According to Traffic Department officials, the new force will use both radar and lidar, a device used to monitor speed using laser.

The initiative was organised in collaboration between the MoI and RasGas in the context of the priority given by the MoI and the National Committee for Traffic Safety to ensure responsible and safe driving.

Traffic Department director Brig Mohamed Saad al-Kharji has said that the new force will monitor and enforce road safety measures on highways. It includes monitoring speed limit, keeping space between vehicles and handling accidents and emergency situations. The official has also disclosed a plan to equip traffic police vehicles with speed radars so they could catch violators while on the move.

All these measures, and may be more, would be required to make Qatar roads safer.