Comparison of Road Traffic Accidents in the Middle East

Dear Amnesia,

I seem to remember reading in the Peninsula that there were 266 road fatalities last year in Qatar. This is 266 too many!

You can present the comparative numbers any way you like, it still doesn't excuse the carnage on the roads in Qatar, or the abyssmal driving conditions here. I sold my motorbike 6 months ago as I had too many close misses. I drive daily from Al Salata to West Bay (Sheraton round-about) and on average see one accident a day, normally at a round-about.

Having lived here for four years you sort of get used to it. Looking at who seems to be involved in many of the accidents suggests that driver training standards amongst some nationalities is pretty poor. It would be unfair to point out any nationalities, but western drivers by and large seem to have less accidents in proportion to others (bearing in mind that western expatriates only make up 5% or so of the population).

Unfortunately, I find myself driving aggresively at times, especially when I feel pressurised by other road users. Who hasn't had a white Land Cruiser tailgate them at speed, flashing their head lights and horning.....?

Your advice to every one to wear a seat belt is spot on....and that includes those in the back of the car, too!

Some days are worse than others concerning accidents. Generally I see at least one accident per day to.

I drive down the Al Waab Street to the crossing on Al Saad Street gong in the direction of the Sports round-about there are onging structural repairs on that street, do you think anyone reduces speed there, no in fact the race to get into the first place and are driving like maniacs. Nearly every day there is an accident on the Traffic lights because there is a camera there and people do have to stop otherwise their photo will be put in the police photo album.

Two weeks ago one driver drove into the back of my car there he just wasn't paying attention.

Good suggestion to advise to put seat belts on in the back of the car too.

Reading from the documents in the links, those numbers are deaths per 100,000 population.

The statistic in the Middle East is old though, year 2000 (while the other is from 2004). I'm sure the situation now here is much worse than in 2000.

Bikes of course should stay in the speed limits....but we all know that people with fast bikes and fast cars want to speed! How daft is it to see a Lamboghini on the streets on Doha? Yes, they look cool....especially the metallic green....and sound great. But, there's nowhere to drive them properly in Qatar.....if I had one I'd be driving through winding roads in the Alps!
As for driving in the UK...well, I'm a Brit and have just come back from holiday in Europe. Excellent driving every where. Sorry to hear you (Amnesia) are in Blackpool....try Brighton instead! :) Only joking, my friend. Take care!