Driving Safely in Qatar

How to increase your safety on the roads and in the roundabouts.

 Driving in Qatar

According to the U.S. State Department:

•Traffic accidents are Qatar’s leading cause of death. 

•Safety regulations in Qatar are not consistent with U.S. standards, and
informal rules of the road and local customs often prove frustrating for
first-time visitors. 
•The combination of Qatar’s extensive use of roundabouts, many road
construction projects and the high speeds at which many drivers travel
can prove challenging. 
•Despite aggressive driving on Qatar’s roads, drivers should avoid
altercations or arguments over traffic incidents, particularly with Qatari
citizens who, if insulted, have filed complaints with local police that
resulted in the arrest and overnight detention of U.S. citizens. 
•Drivers can be held liable for injuries to other persons involved in a
vehicular accident, and local police have detained U.S. citizens overnight
until the extent of the person’s injuries were known. 
Aggressive Driving

What is aggressive driving?

 Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving includes:

• Speeding, which often leads to following too closely.

• Frequent or abrupt lane changes without signaling, passing on the shoulder or
unpaved portions of the roadway.
• Harassing motorists who just happen to not get out of the way.
• Running stop signs and red lights.
• Passing stopped school buses.
You will see examples of this
• Failing to keep right.
everyday while driving around
• Other forms of reckless driving Qatar.
Road Rage

Aggressive driving can lead to “Road Rage”.

Road rage is a term used to refer to

violent behavior by a driver of an
automobile, which thus causes
accidents or incidents on roadways
 Road Rage

Road Rage can include:

Stopping a vehicle at the

side of the road, and
Verbal provocations, such as getting out of it to
yelling, cursing, excessive horn threaten, frighten, attack,
honking, rude or obscene fight or hurt another
gestures and threats. motorist or passenger, or
a pedestrian, cyclist, or
other person.

Driving actions, such as cutting off another

vehicle, extremely close tailgating,
blocking another vehicle from using a
traffic lane, pursuing or chasing another
vehicle, or running it off the road,
deliberate ramming or bumping of another
vehicle.
What can you do…

• Avoid eye contact.

• Stay calm and relaxed.

• Make every attempt to get out of the way safely. Do not escalate the
situation.

• Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to

hold your position in your travel lane.

• Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same.

What can you do…

• Ignore harassing gestures and name calling, and do not return them. Not only
will this behavior most likely escalate the danger of the situation, it can get you
arrested.

• Consider reporting aggressive drivers to the appropriate law enforcement

authorities by providing a vehicle description, location, license plate number, and
direction of travel.

• If you are being followed by an aggressive or threatening driver, do not stop or

get out of your vehicle. Drive directly to the nearest police station or other
location where you know you will be safe.
• If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, stop a safe distance from the crash
scene. When the police arrive, report the driving behavior you witnessed.
 And…

Don’t think that it is

your ABSOLUTE right
to have the “right of
way”. Be prepared to
give up the right-of-
way to avoid an
accident.
Is trading your safety or the safety of others for the
sake of pride really worth it????
Roundabouts
 Roundabouts

A roundabout is a type of road junction at

which traffic enters a stream around a central
island after first yielding (giving way) to the
circulating traffic.
Unfortunately that is not always the case!

Roundabouts Under normal

move traffic circumstances,
through an the intent of a
intersection roundabout is
without the to make
use of traffic intersections
signals. safer and more
efficient.
 Driving through Roundabouts

Defensive driving is the key !

• When entering the roundabout, yield to the traffic already in the
roundabout.

• Be aware of other drivers in the roundabout. Be alert to drivers

entering and exiting. Constantly watch the cars on either side of you.
A car may cut in front of you without notice.

• Always make sure as you prepare to exit the roundabout that the
car waiting to enter has yielded to you. On occasion, a car will enter
the roundabout without slowing and cut off the car that is crossing
over to exit.

• If you cannot safely exit the roundabout at the point you want to,
don’t panic, drive around again and catch the exit the second time.
Lane Guidelines

When approaching a multi-lane roundabout,

drivers must choose the appropriate lane based
on their intention to go right, left or straight.

To go left at the To go straight To make a

roundabout, through the right hand turn,
approach it from roundabout, approach the
the left lane and approach it from roundabout in
follow the the center lane the right hand
roundabout to and follow the lane. Use your
your exit. Use roundabout to right turning
your right your exit. Use signal to alert
turning signal your right turning others of your
just before signal just before intent
turning off to turning off to
alert others of alert others of
your intent. your intent.
Turn your signal
on at this point as
you approach
your exit to alert
other cars waiting
to enter of your
intention.
Emergency Vehicles

Always pull over for an emergency vehicle!

If you have not yet entered the roundabout, pull over to the right as
soon as you can to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.

If possible, try not to

stop inside the
roundabout, instead
continue to your exit
and then pull over to
the right allowing the
emergency vehicle to
pass. But if you must
stop to let the
emergency vehicle
pass – exercise
extreme caution!
 Heavy Duty Trucks and Construction
Vehicles

Be aware that large trucks

going through a roundabout
may straddle two driving lanes.

Never drive adjacent to

or pass a truck in a
roundabout. It is much
easier for you to see
them, than for them to
see you.

Watch large trucks closely! Even though they

enter the roundabout from the right lane they
may not exit immediately but go straight through.
Always yield to them and look for their turning
signals.
Penalties and Fines

Penalties and fines are getting

tougher every day!
Be aware of the Qatari driving regulations and make
sure to follow them.

Do not assume the lack of police “pulling over” vehicles for violating
the law is an indication that enforcement is non-existent.

Qatar has speed radars on highways throughout Doha that are

capable of photographing your license plate and in some
instances the driver.

Uniformed and plain clothes officers have been known to

be setting in roundabouts and along the highway
documenting the license plate numbers of vehicles
violating traffic regulations.
 Important Links
Traffic Violations and Resulting Fines

Check and see if you have received a traffic ticket

PAYING TRAFFIC FINES

• CHECK THE TRAFFIC VIOLATION WEBSITE

OFTEN !!! 
• PAY ANY OUTSTANDING TICKETS AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE. 
• YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE
COUNTRY IF YOU HAVE OUTSTANDING
FINES THAT NEED TO BE PAID.  
• THIS CAN AND WILL RESULT IN THE DELAY OF
YOUR TRIP FROM QATAR!
 If you have an accident…

If you are involved in an auto accident, move your car immediately, if

possible, to the side of the road to prevent traffic from backing up.

Call the police and wait for them to arrive.

The police will issue a report. Without this report you cannot get your
car repaired.

Do not leave the scene until the police give you permission to do so.

TIP 1: It is also a good idea This is a good

to call someone who can TIP 2: Call the number on reason why you
speak Arabic and has been the emergency calling card should always
in-country long enough to be given to you by Texas A&M. carry the
familiar with the laws. There are at least two people emergency calling
on that list who speak Arabic. card with you!
Safe Driving Tips

• Always be in the RIGHT Place on the road and traveling at the right speed.

• Be able to stop safely. Judge stopping distances appropriately. Judgment of speed and distances must be
accurate

• Do not 'compete' for road space- drive with reasonable restraint, but not with indecision.

• Keep a cushion between you and the other cars around you. Tailgating is a very dangerous undertaking.

• Always use mirrors before changing your speed or position, and use turn indicators to clearly indicate to other
road users what you are about to do. This enhances safety and can improve traffic flow, especially at
roundabouts.

• Do concentrate properly and avoid distraction. Using a cellular phone while driving is not only illegal, it is
dangerous.

• Acceleration and braking should be smooth and progressive- try to avoid erratic " stop/go" motoring.

• Steering maneuvers should be safe, smooth and accurate.

• Do drive with Courtesy and be considerate to other road users, including pedestrians, and be very tolerant of the
errors they may make. (Avoid so called ' road rage'!!!!)

• Practice patience and self-discipline when on the highway.

Remember…

Someone,
somewhere,
is waiting for you to make it home safely!