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MOI tells drivers to hang up phones..
The Ministry of Interior has launched an awareness campaign to get drivers to hang up their mobile phones while on the road.
Although the practice is common place, it is illegal under Qatar law to talk or SMS while driving, and can incur a QR500 fine.
This month, traffic patrols will flag drivers caught texting or talking on the phone and warn them of the dangers of doing so.
They will not, however, be handing out fines just yet.
The idea is to first blanket Doha with a media and education campaign about not using phones while driving, and then enforce the law next month, an MOI spokesman told Doha News.
He added that the ministry is still working out how it will enforce the law.
The MOI previously used a video campaign to try to tackle the widespread use of mobile phones on the roads, which are a major cause of collisions in Doha.
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Comments
marycatherine said
While I wish them well, ...While I wish them well, enforcement (fines) is the key.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
turbohampster said
About time...But I don't ...About time...But I don't think it will change anything unless they fine people
Shaktimaan said
Good ...Good
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A tongue has no bones but it’s strong enough to break a heart
Baburao-Ganpatr... said
there is a fine of qr 500 ...there is a fine of qr 500 already
....................................................................
A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.
PrisonerofownDevice said
GUD EFFORT ...GUD EFFORT
LiFe GoEs ThErE WhErE DeAtH FeArS To Go......
646
mr_qatar said
they need to block blackberry ...they need to block blackberry messenger services... thats the only solution i think....
LincolnPirate said
"...the ministry is still ..."...the ministry is still working out how it will enforce the law." How long does the "law" exist? Two years, three years? They still don't know how to enforce it? Ha, ha, ha.
Physics is like sex. Sometimes we get some practical results, but that's not why we're doing it!
Bachus said
As stated above the law has ...As stated above the law has existed for years. The problem is that, despite a multitude of campaigns, idiots still talk and text while driving. Nor do they wear seat belts. The answer is draconian enforcement with fines of thousands of QR. It certainly reduced the number of vehicles that ran red lights.
Mandilulur said
Isn't this kinda like the law ...Isn't this kinda like the law that bans smoking indoors?
Mandi
Sanjka said
To Police!! ...Better make law against Headlight flashers and NO-distance keepers!!!!
If u drive 100 km/h at the place where limit is 100km/h
why the heck i have to move to the other line just becuase some Land cruiser wants to drive 150km/h ???
Every time i move like that i put myself in danger.
timebandit said
Why warn offenders? Why not ...Why warn offenders? Why not fine them?
ydlov12 said
It needs self-control that's ...It needs self-control that's all. Refrain from texting while you're driving. I don't understand why it's such a challenge.
"There is no good and evil. There is only power; and those too weak to seek it."
qatarisun said
LP and Mandi, it takes time! ...LP and Mandi, it takes time! like if USA has always been the way it is now.. people cannot change over night. The idea has to settle in their mind. In order to stop doing it they have to FEEL it. I think awareness campaign is great efforts of the qatar government!
As for smoking indoors, it IS going away.. slowly, but going. People at our office used to smoke right at the office, no matter how many times they were warned. Few months later they finally have come to agreement to smoke on the staircase. Few weeks back they strated going outside for smoke breaks. And guess what, since it's a bit more complicated to go outside, they now smoke less! Isn't it a great result?
Again, Qatar is developing country. And I am happy, it is developing in a right direction!
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"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
marycatherine said
Yes QS, but the only reason ...Yes QS, but the only reason they are now going outside is because they are being forced to - just as smokers were banned in my own country, first in federal offices, then within so many metres of the entry ways and then from bars and restaurants and coffee shops.
They didn't stop because of education, they stopped because of the monetary consequences and ENFORCEMENT.
Enforcement of the rules and regulations to any and all violators (preferably on the spot) is the key to the successful implementation of the rules.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
dayveed35 said
im thinking the fines should ...im thinking the fines should be increased koz even a 9 year old who values his life knows text driving is SICK.
Dayveed.
qatarisun said
MC, I didn't get your point. ...MC, I didn't get your point. Are you against the educational process and for enforcement of severe punishment only?? Is that your point??
Well, law enforcement doesn't exclude the education. I think Qatar is doing absolutely right thing: NOT only enforces 1,000 or even 10,000 fine, but also EDUCATES. Guess what, NOT everyone who violates the law can be caught. In this case you have to put the policeman in every single corner. But what can dramatically reduce violations is Awareness campaigns and educational processes, when developed psychological bariers are preventing the person from the law violation, not only fear to be fined for couple of bucks...
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"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
marycatherine said
And education is 90% useless ...And education is 90% useless until enforcement is put in place. How many no smoking campaigns (health consequences, age limits on cigarette purchases) have been put in place world wide including here in Qatar? How many people do you know who continue to smoke (I won't even discuss those who continue to smoke in no-smoking posted areas) despite this education?
I know I didn't quit smoking until it became so inconvenient (fines for smoking in public places and businesses) that it became more convenient not to smoke.
I also am aware not everyone who violates laws can be caught - but if people know they won't be held accountable (witness those who smoke in non-smoking areas world wide including here in Doha - where they can be seen on security cameras almost 100% of the time) then there are those who will do so because there aren't any consequences.
Education has a valued place, but enforcement is the key to turning the tide. Why do people do the speed limit in front of the radars and then speed up in between? - because there are negative consequences to being caught and none in between. How many of us (and I am guilty of this sometimes) pass a police vehicle while speeding because we know he isn't going to pull us over and fine us?
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
qatarisun said
MC, I think we are arguing ...MC, I think we are arguing for nothing. I don't say, no need to enforce the laws! That would be ideal world. What I say is Qatar is doing great by not ONLY enforcing the law, but also by spreading awareness, and educating people. And you say it's not necessary, which seems weird to me, considering from which part of the world you are coming.
And yes, in the countries where education and awareness regarding smoking are spread widely, people smoke much less. And not only because they are afraid of being fined.
And yes, in the countries where education and awareness about driving are spread widely, people drive much better, and again, not only because they are afraid of being fined. They are more careful, polite, and attentive.
Education develops a good style, deep understanding, and higher level of responsibility in general. I hope, you are not going to deny it.
Here is simple example of how education can change people. Until now, in some places of the world people still don’t wash their hands before having a meal. And hey, there is NO law which forces you to wash your hands. But in some parts of the world people wash hands voluntary, while in the other parts they still don't care about this simple procedure! You are I, and others, do a LOT of things, because we or our mothers/fathers or grandmothers/grandfathers got educated and got aware of these things. It became normal part of our lives.
Inculcating of some habits might take generation(s). And I am happy for Qatar authorities, that they understand necessity of such educational campaigns.
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"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
marycatherine said
I'm not arguing. For some ...I'm not arguing. For some reason this is a personal argument or appears to be for you. Carry on.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
suckr said
This laws will only be ...This laws will only be applicable to expatriates.... if you all know what I mean. LOL!
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"Finish what you started and continue what you are doing."
mohdata said
this is the violation that ...this is the violation that most deserves the huge fines..it's worse than running the lights, in the sense that if the intersection is empty, the light runner won't crash; but the texting/speaking driver without exception is dangerously distracted from his surroundings; he could hit almost anything around him..cars, people, poles, trees, he could jump the curb..i have personally had to take calls while driving; and without exaggeration, after i hung up, i could not remember how my car got to where i was at that point or what happened during the time i was on the phone..i swear it's like you see things but none of the information reaches your brain. More than light runners and flashing tailgaters, i believe this is the big one..anywyas, may god bless us all and keep us safe:-)
Kirbyk said
Road Safety Commercial ...This tragic incident coincided with the day that Qatargas and the Ministry of the Interior released a new commercial highlighting the 3 major causes of road accidents in Qatar - Racing, using mobile phones and reckless / erratic driving.
https://www.youtube....
kaderbasha said
It is the responsibilty of ...It is the responsibilty of ecery driver to follow the safety while driving in order to avoid accidents