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Doha: The General Directorate of Traffic will focus on awareness drives to prevent the use of mobile phones while driving and overspeeding, especially during winter camping season, First Lieutenant Fahd Sherida Al Abdullah has revealed.
According to the Department’s statistics, talking on the mobile phone while driving and overspeeding are the most common traffic violations among drivers.
“The statistics made by the General Directorate of Traffic show that the use of mobile phones and over speeding are the most common violations during the winter camping season, whether in camping areas or elsewhere,” said First Lieutenant Al Abdullah.
Speaking to Qatar Radio yesterday, he noted that speed violations could be controlled through the street radars. Still, the biggest challenge to the department is motorists talking on their phones while driving. Therefore, the campaign focus will be on spreading awareness about these violations to reduce them.
The awareness campaign, which is being organised by the Traffic Department includes spreading messages through social media and even visiting campers in camping areas.
Al Abdullah advised the youth not to drive in the Sealine area or other areas if they do not know how to drive on dunes because of the skills required to operate in such areas.
According to him, the Department will not tolerate traffic violations. It will strictly monitor the hobbies practiced by young people while adding that the renting of motorcycles to underage children will be tackled.
The penalty for hiding a vehicle’s number plate is a three-day prison fine in addition to court referral.
The Traffic Department has made the youth the target of their road etiquette awareness campaigns as most of the accidents involve young people. The Department’s goal is to reduce traffic accidents involving young people, especially in areas like Sealine, by collaborating with relevant agencies like Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
