Will I get over my fear of driving in Qatar?

i don't know, i found driving in the uae much worse than here. ;)

get a feel for your car, try out the ways you need to go on a friday morning when it's quiet and believe me, it is much worse sitting on the passenger seat. leave enough time so you don't put yourself under pressure, think for everyone around you.
good luck

Well, i think its not as bad as in UAE 'cause you see lesser sports car passing by you at high speeds.

Plus, try sticking to center lane and make use of indicators (turning lights) and things will work out.
And this fear, well, to get over it, you will have to drive so.....get on the road and enjoy :)

Don't drive.

Hi, I understand where you are coming from. Have the same fears myself. Especially with the speed, beeping of horns, not using indicators, very little road courtesy, people crossing without looking, children stunting on roads, drivers weaving in and out and round-abouts are nightmares to me here. Also coming from UK, the road directions here took some getting used to. I started out driving in my neighbourhood during daytime (when no one else is out). Next I set out the route I will be taking, the turns involved, what I should look out for and what I can expect to encounter on that drive. Then went on short runs to nearby shops during non busy traffic times. After that, did the big round-abouts and big roads during non traffic times. Still do most of my driving during lower traffic times actually as it is easier on my nerves and teeth. You can try that just to gain confidence in handling the car, roads and driving situation here. Good luck.

Thx all, I guess you're all right, need to do it to get over the fear.
Hopefully I'll do it sooner than later, as a very independent woman, my husband is enjoying this sudden need I have for him :))

Just follow the standard road rules and stay in the middle lane as much as possible.

Drive at 50 - 60 and buy an extremely tough SUV, like Jeep or Land Rover. So if you have an accident, not much of a problem for you.

Frankly driving here is much better than in Saudi Arabia....

to meet it head on. Of course that doesn't sound so appealing when you are driving.....
Just do it.

I can help.

You do sound wimpy, so it's best not to drive. You may put others at risk ..

Dont follow the International rules.
follow the Qatar Rules

Round About : Those who enter to R/A with more speed, give the chance for them.If you not give the way, they will hit on your vehicle.

Line Change/ Track change: Here no priority from Left track to Right. If you want change track. two options for you.
Option 1: Just change the track, when you desire, the other vehicle will stop for you....but it is may be waste your time and more risky.
Option 2: If you given the signal for track change, immediately the vehicle on the same track will increase the speed...so after that vehicle pass..u can change the track.

Exits: If you make exit to service road, stop the car in the main road and allow the those vehicle comes from the service road, and make sure no more vehicle form the service road.

Parking: Dont park your vehilces the place, if thier more place for other parking, or in the parking lot, if you parking thier, you will get some damge on your vehicle bumper back or front side. Better parking only desert area.

finally, This is Qatar...dont follow the International rules.

To the OP:

No. Once you become complacent, there will be an accident.

same goes with me. but then to overcome your fear is to face it. enrol yourself in a driving school. as days pass by, you will gain confidence driving around the school and outside. i remember i had clammy hands when i first started and i can hear my heart beating out loud :) and mind you,i don't have any driving license back home. i have been driving since 2009 in Qatar and with so many crazy drivers here, i haven't faced any accident till date. you can do it too. benson's advice is a good one. you go girl!

do not worry sister. most of the ppl have fears when they start driving specially when they start it in later age. Driving in any busy city gives u scares. I started driving only from Doha one year ago and now I'm traveling everywhere alhamdulillah. i had same fears and i still feel pressure bcz of crazy drivers but u have to be right on ur side and hoping n praying for others to be driving safe as well. its same if u r sitting in some taxi..u will still face other drivers on the road and u r not sure of taxi driver u r sitting in. just start practicing ...more u practice more u'll master it..dont listen much from others on how to drive in qatar....more u listen more pressure u'll develope...may Allah help u overcome ur fears in all matters of life ameen:)

You said yourself that you refused to drive in Dubai where driving is easier. So obviously Qatar is worse . So you shouldn't drive here either. Get yourself a driver. Good luck !

I drove three weeks into moving here
And worse for me cos coming from Australia it was the other side
But after spending four weeks dragging the kids in the heat lookog for compounds and schools and taxis I decided I had to drive and plus thought ramadhan was a food time as everyone was half asleep and so less aggressive in the mornigs
Still would suggest be same for u got rutty Friday mornigs :) give it a god
It will be much easier I promise!
Although I still sometimes get confused left and right on smaller roads
Been driving three weeks now
So good luck!
Where r u guys living have u found a place
Oh yes I remember now !

Lol lol nomad, so I gotta drive what the locals drive.
Thanks for making me laugh

Driving in Doha is now far better since they put signals on the round-about. They even converted some of the round-about to signals.

Try this..You can drive Friday and saturday on roads and make one trip morning ,after noon and evening...

if you drive from ur home to corniche in morning..(1Trip)
drive from Mushrib - Al sadd to madina khalifa.(Trip2)
last in evening toyota Museum of islamic art - toyato signal - ramda -lacigale- landmark. (trip3)

Try this atleast friday and saturday 3 route - and feel free to Drive on roads.

I live in Abu Hammour, is that not in the industrial area...

pray I too will one day posses the nerves and bravery required to drive, and become an expert at it.
Benson's story is specially motivating. Ten years and no accidents? Masha Allah, Thabarakhallah, that's just super!

Never had an accident in my life, been here 1 month, and 2 idiots hit us.
That's where my fear stems from. I know I can drive, but can others around me?

*BABIES ON BOARD*
that won't make a difference, only that they are encouraged to take aim.....

Driving here is horrible becoz of a multitude of drivers from all around the world. They have different attitudes towards driving and many of them are not expert drivers. I'd like to mention that speeding doesn't mean someone is a good driver. Its the level of control that you have on your vehicles that makes you shine. I think if all drivers are trained to the same level, people will have happier stories to tell.

Absolutely

Try driving with your Top down....works for me...wink, wink :D

I want to drive not get arrested :))).....

First you have to know the roads (look at google maps like me) so that u only concentrate on driving not wondering and looking around and guessing from where to go, then just stick to ur lane, no quick turns, drive by the speed limit not by the other cars speed limit!! and everything will be just fine. I am driving since 15 years, I drove in UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, every time i think about it i feel scared, but once I am behind the steering wheal and follow those rules, everything goes just fine. best of luck